The Holy Work of Fatherhood

The first time a Christian father hears his child utter the Lord’s Prayer, a shudder might be appropriate.  After all when the words “Our Father” pass over that young child’s lips, who do you suppose comes to mind?  Of course, the words our father bring to mind their father.  And this is not by accident.  No, God has entrusted his reputation to each man who becomes a Father.  Every time a humans father provided and protects, rebukes and forgives, instructs and models, he is not only being a good father, but is also teaching his children about God.  Of course, the opposite is true as well.  Many people have been robbed of the pure comfort of addressing God as Father because the term father reminds them only of violence, perversion, or abandonment.  For each father then, his role as father is of immeasurable importance.  It enables his children not only to be well cared for, but always enables then to call their heavenly dad “Abba Father,” a term of beautiful endearment.  On this Fathers Day, may all of us fathers open our mouths to encourage each other in this holy work and also share the forgiveness of Christ when failings are revealed and confessed.  And may all the rest of us share our undying appreciation for the role fathers play in our lives and for the way they teach us through their lives about the one who we are blessed to implore with these words, “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen”