But in all seriousness, I love that we take a day to acknowledge this important job that has been given to these chosen men by God, who models for us in His Word just exactly what a Father is.

I’ve been so lucky. Growing up, I had a hard-working Dad who toiled away long hours in less-than-ideal conditions to give our family the best of everything. He could always fix anything, and if he couldn’t fix it, he always had a friend who he could call to help him figure it out. He’s a good friend, listens to my endless rants and stories without complaining on a daily basis. He loves my kids and will do anything for us.

I always heard that young girls will grow up to marry someone just like their Dads. I didn’t believe that until my husband over the years has grown to resemble my Dad more and more! My Dad has taught him how to fix anything, (my Dad actually calls HIM to come fix things at his house now!) he also has the drive to work hard for his family. It’s a funny thing actually, because I didn’t ask for it, but God knew just exactly what me and my girls needed in a provider. And He provided for us!

But how often does Dad’s work go unnoticed? 

Who thinks to acknowledge their Dad when a hair clog mysteriously disappears out of the shower drain? Or what kids notice that the lawn is perfectly edged? Do they see the long hours spent in the freezing cold or blistering heat to bring home a paycheck? 

Likely not. But Dads love their kids, so the work carries on, even when it goes unnoticed.

Hosea 11:1-4 (NIV) says:

“When Israel was a child, I loved him,

    and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 But the more they were called,
    the more they went away from me.
They sacrificed to the Baals
    and they burned incense to images.
3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
    taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
    it was I who healed them.
4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
    with ties of love.
To them I was like one who lifts
    a little child to the cheek,
    and I bent down to feed them.”

Hosea 11:1-4 (NIV)

I love this image of God our Father. Just like the Dad/child relationship I described above, God’s people were missing the things that He was doing for them. The picture of God teaching His child to walk by holding them by the arms, or of Him bending down to feed them. I just love that! But what does the writer say the people do? 

The more God calls to them, the further they went from Him. They didn’t realize it was Him who was doing all of those things for them.

We need to remember today that we are all God’s children, and just like my husband and Dad love me and my children, God loves and cares for us. 

“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

Matthew 6:26

Just like the Dad who unclogs the drain, edges the lawn or runs to the grocery store to help out with dinner, God sees each and every one of our needs and tends to them. We don’t always see it, we often don’t realize it. We might even think that He’s getting it wrong because we think we know better. But if He cares for the birds, how much more does He love to care for those that He calls His sons and daughters!?!

This Fathers day, acknowledge the Fathers in your life. They may not be your own Dad, but I’m sure you know someone who has influenced you in a positive and Dad-like way. And take some quiet minutes to thank your Heavenly Father who makes all of those relationships possible in the first place ♥️