FATHER'S DAY 2013

FATHER'S DAY - It just isn't the same!

If you've been a father for awhile you may have noticed that your reaction to it has changed through the years. When the kids are small it's a big deal to them (and to you). They do their best to make it special and it always is!

When they were younger things they made with their own hands were exiting to them and you. You relished the fact that they had taken the time to draw that card or make that clay ashtray (even when you didn't smoke), usually accompanied by a hug or a sloppy kiss. Many of you, like me, probably have some of those early gifts which you cherish.

As both they and you get older there seems to be a subtle change. Gifts move from the "I made it myself" stage, to the buying it at the store stage. Now that's fine, there are lots of neat things at the stores to purchase. But often it gets to the "I don't know what to give dad this year" stage. Yet, most dads I know would treasure the same thing they got in years past, a handmade card and a big hug.

Why the change, perhaps it is the society in which we live. A society that says, "Love is demonstrated by how expensive of a gift, how large or how many gifts you give." That generally is not true; most dads cherish the love much more than any gift. I wonder though if we as dads don't promote that idea. What do they see when we give gifts to them?

I don't know how many times I have seen parents and grandparents almost compete for the love of the child by giving lavish or expensive gifts. I wonder if our children have learned to equate love with money or expensive gifts.

Yes, Father's Day is a day when traditionally the family (especially the children) give some recognition to the father for all he does for the family,  but it's not just about gifts. It's about love and honor! Ephesians 6:2-4 tells us: "Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, "things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord."

Children you do the honoring part, dads you do the "bringing up with discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord" part. That's God's plan and that will work, things may not be the same, but they can be better!

Russ Lawson