Fathers Day

One of the first Father’s Day celebrations is said to have been held on 5th July 1908, in Fairmont, West Virginia. Grace Clayton is believed to have been inspired to celebrate ‘fathers’ after a deadly mine explosion which killed 361 men, many of whom were fathers. In 1924 US President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day and in 1966, US President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring that the 16th Sunday of June should be remembered as ‘Father's Day’.

Since then, Father's Day has become a day to not only honour our father, but all men who act as father figures in our lives. Lots of men receive gifts and cards from loved ones as a sign of their appreciation and continuing love. It is quite normal for DIY stores and gift shops, selling random gadgets, to see a significant increase in sales around Father’s Day!

But do we appreciate that we actually have two fathers? As well as our biological father, we also have a Heavenly Father. God gives us the opportunity to know Him and love Him just like an earthly father.

The Bible teaches that He cares, provides for, and has a wonderful plan for all of His children. Like any loving parent, God doesn’t want any of His children to die. This is why God offers us everlasting life in His Kingdom, when Christ returns. The great thing is that anyone willing to acknowledge God as their father has this amazing opportunity. It not just for a select few, the offer is open to young or old, male or female, rich or poor. What’s more, God will even overlook our past faults.

Get to know your Heavenly Father this Father’s Day – it’s definitely a relationship worth celebrating!

Useful passage to look up: 1 John ch3 vs1-3