HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Father's Day has become a day to not only honor your father, but all men who act as a father figure. Stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, and adult male friends are all honored on Father's Day.

Happy father’s day to all fathers and all those who act like and who takes the role of a father.  As we honor this day in respect to our fathers it is important to know the history of Father’s day and why we do it.  Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a "father's day" in 1909. Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. William Smart, a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife (Mrs. Dodd's mother) died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington State. It was after Mrs. Dodd became an adult that she realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent. The first Father's Day was observed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane Washington.

Last month we talked about the most powerful people on planet Earth referring to our mothers and the big role they play in our lives. It is true that fathers may know how it feels to have another human being inside you who decides what you eat, when to stretch or when to sleep. But it also true that fathers plays a bigger role to determine the future of his children and controls the atmosphere at which the kids grows up with. For those who have daughters, one thing you need to know is that, you are the first man in your daughter’s life and the kind of man she see in you creates the perception she will have about men. If they see you as a loving and caring man both to them and to their mother, these are the qualities they would look for in a man they want to marry.  On the other hand, sons build their characters from their Fathers. Last week, Randy Carlson, a radio Presenter with Intentional Living asked this question, what is one thing that your dad taught you in life? Many still remembers things they were taught as far as when they were 3 years old.

Recently, I asked Victor Macharia 7, who would he like to be when he grow up. He said” I want to a pastor like my Dad. Victor is son to Pastor Paul and Pastor Eunice Macharia of Christ Covenant Church. It is from this point that I also came to know that Joel Osteen father was the founding pastor of Lakewood Church, Mathew Hagee ministers with his father John Hagee at John Huggee ministry, Dr James Dobson whose father was a pastor runs myfamilytalk radio talk show with his son, Ryan Dobson. Jeff Jordan is taking after his father, Michael Jackson, as a basketball professional player. I also forgot to mention that Pastor Macharia’s father is a retired Bishop from Kenya. You may not know that Serena Williams and her sister Venus enjoy the privilege of training with their dad as their coach.

Does this father son or daughter story tell you something? From these examples and many other you know, it is clear that fathers are the role models and heroes to their children. The question is, to what direction are you taking them? Your children need strong fathers to prepare them for the danger they are about to face in the world.  When you win or succeed in your dream, you not only feel some level of satisfaction, you also inspire and motivate those who look upon you as their role model.

Every father needs some checks and balances to know if you are moving in the right direction to prepare your children for future Christian leadership and parenthood. The best way to do it! just ask your children the following three questions: Do you know that I love you? 2. Do you know that I love your mom? 3. If you ever get married, would you like to have a family life like ours? If the answer is “YES” then you are doing well. If not, you will need to go back to the drawing board.

As you celebrate Fathers Day, I also ask you the same question. What is one thing your dad taught you about life that has helped you to be the person you are today?

By Geoffrey for Connection33