If you want a perfect glimpse into Father’s Day in the United States, all you must do is look back at its history. While many probably set aside a day to celebrate fathers before— Father’s Day was only officially recognized as a national holiday in 1972. Mother’s Day, however, had been an official holiday dating back to 1914, a whopping fifty-eight years prior. That’s enough time for not one but two World Wars to pass, for us to land on the moon, and for the Civil Rights Movement to pass. Sadly, this discrepancy isn’t a far cry from how many feel about the two holidays to this very day.
On Mother’s Day, children will travel many miles to see their mommas, sit with them in worship, and overwhelm them with lavish gifts. On this day, the preacher will talk about how great mothers are, and the church may even pass out flowers. However, on Father’s Day, children MAY give a call or text, give their dads a couple of pairs of socks and a tie, and call it a day. On top of that, the preacher will talk about how terrible fathers are. Sure, there are some exceptions to this, but by in large, this has become the stereotype between the two holidays.
I am blessed and am eternally grateful that I was given my earthly father. My daddy took three boys and turned them into men. When other boys played video games or slept on the weekends, we worked thirteen or fourteen-hour days on the farm or at the City Schools doing electrical work. On Sundays, when other boys had the option of whether to go to Bible Class and Worship, our daddy not only made sure we were there—he was there—every single time the doors were opened. When one of us got out of line (almost always me), he did not spare the rod and disciplined us promptly (Proverbs 13:24). He not only made us men… he made us men of God.
Even though this was the case for me, it is foolish to think it is the case for everyone. So many fathers fail to set the spiritual tone for their families. Mothers are becoming the spiritual role model and guide God intended fathers to be. Don’t get me wrong; it is beautiful when a mother will rise up and fill that vacancy left by the father. However, how sad is it when a father is more of a hassle to get to church than their own kids? Or worse, how tragic is it when a father does not love his wife as Christ loved the Church (Ephesians 5:25)?
Many of you may dread Father’s Day because all it does is remind you of the lack of a father you had growing up. For many, this day hurts because the memories you look back on are, for the most part, painful or disappointing. All the while, your social media feed is going on about the amazing dads out there. Maybe you question why God would give them that dad and give you… yours. Or worse, maybe your dad left your family, and all you ever had was a strong mother. I don’t know if you realize this, but God gave us the Lord’s Church as a spiritual family to fill the gaps and holes our earthly family left.
If you find yourself without good relationships with your siblings, God offers you brothers and sisters in the Church who can fill that hole. If you are without a mother, God offers you mother figures in the Church who can fill that hole. If you find yourself without any grandparents, God offers plenty of grandparents in the Church who can fill that hole. Maybe you find yourself without a father; God offers you father figures who can fill that hole in the Church. The Church is not just a place of worship; it’s a place of belonging. Through the Church, God offers family to those who may have never experienced it elsewhere.
One of the most preeminent figures in the New Testament was Timothy. He was perhaps the Apostle Paul’s closest companion as they established congregations all throughout the known world. Paul trusted Timothy to be his messenger to the congregations in Corinth (1 Corinthians 4:17) and in Philippi (Philippians 2:19). He even became a located evangelist in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). Regardless of where he went and what he did, Paul called Timothy his true son in the faith (1 Timothy 1:2).
This matters more than you realize because Timothy didn’t have much of an earthly father. In Acts 16:1, the Bible introduces us to Timothy, “…And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek.” Later in Paul’s writings, he attributes every ounce of spirituality that was passed on to Timothy came from his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice… making no mention of his father (2 Timothy 1:5). On top of all of this is the fact that Paul had no biological children, (1 Corinthians 7:7-8) but found a spiritual one in Timothy. Through the Church, each of them found the family member they had always lacked.
I don’t know what emotions Father’s Day brings you this weekend. All I know is if you need a Father, there is always One you can count on in Heaven. He has done everything in His infinite power for you to know Him. He has been preparing a place for you to stay with Him eternally in the Home of the Soul. Everyone needs a Father; trusting Him as His child is up to you.
-Ben Hogan, Minister of Evangelism