Fathers- Love and Legacy

Father’s day is observed every third Sunday of June and this year it falls on the fifteenth day of June,2025. It is a day to honour fathers for the role and responsibility they carry so as to encourage and inspire them. Father’s Day was conceived by Sonora Dodd, of Washington in 1909 and later given the support by US president Calvin Coolidge, in 1924 while the idea of a national Father’s Day was formalized by US President Lyndon Johnson who declared the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day through a presidential proclamation in 1966. God has commanded in the book of Exodus 20:12 to “honour your father and your mother”. Further, honour is also to preserve the reputation of the father and mother by obedience in the Lord. A person who honours his parents will live long in the blessings of the Lord. Father’s day is a reminder about God’s commandment to His people. It is also an occasion for fathers to be reminded of their role and responsibility in the family. The roles of a father and mother are not independent but inter-dependent-for they are one. These roles complement each other, meaning that they are not interchangeable and are each necessary for healthy childrearing. The past few decades have witnessed a remarkable transformation in family dynamics, driven by the increasing number of educated and working mothers. This shift has led to questions about the relevance of the father’s position in modern families. While the roles within the family unit have evolved, the significance of fathers remains crucial, albeit in different ways than traditionally understood. Once a father was asked, who is the boss of the house? The father proudly replied “I am the boss”. Again, when asked who wears the pants? He replied, “I do but my wife chooses which one I should wear.” Fatherhood also involves setting an example. Fathers are role models whose actions and behaviour significantly influence their children’s values and perspectives. A father who demonstrates integrity, kindness, and resilience instills these qualities in his children. Today psychologists have come to agree that fathers play a unique and crucial role in nurturing and guiding children’s development. There is a difference between good fathers and godly fathers. A good father primarily focuses on being supportive and responsible in human and societal terms. A godly father aspires to be spiritually driven, exemplifying divine virtues and guiding his family toward a relationship with God, often putting spiritual duties above just personal or societal expectations. According to the Bible, Eli was guilty of fathering errors. As high priest he was a model but failed to impact godly values in his sons. He was a very busy man and could not train up his sons in the right way. Eli chose not to confront his sons over these sins. On the other hand, Abraham trusted and obeyed God even in difficult circumstances, exemplified in his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham provided spiritual guidance by instructing his family in the ways of the Lord, and his faith became a blueprint for future generations. There is a saying that one good father is worth a hundred good teachers. On Father’s Day, honour also means fathers rededicate themselves to their godly responsibility as dutiful, faithful husbands and loving guide and companion to their children.