To all of the men who have Kids, whether they even read or post on this Board, ""HAPPY FATHER'S DAY""!!
I'm going to paraphrase something I've read. ""Anyone can be a [biological] Father. It takes a special someone to be a Dad or Daddy."" From what I've read, as a group, the guys on this Board tend to fall into the latter category.
To the Young Ladies and Men on this Board, whose Dads are no longer in the Family, each of them left you a special legacy. They left you with your GODLY Mom. Know that you are GOD's Gifts to your Moms. If your Mom has remarried, you make this a special day for him also.
To those few men whose wives are no longer with you, your Kids remind you of your Special Lady. She left you part of herself to reflect her Love to you, helping you to navigate Life as a Single Dad.
We just did a dedication today of a Library at our church. I had been "rebuilding" the library the last few weeks and today we dedicated it to a man who died last Feb. He had been a deacon in our church for many years, and served until the week before he died.
He originally built the rolling book case for our library (so we can store it during the week) and we thought it fitting to dedicate it to him. Some of his family came, his wife (who still serves) was there to cut the ribbon. We had a plaque made up to put on it. Some of his children did not even know he built it. I showed them his name he burned into it when he built it. Our guess was that he built it between 1975-77.
I agree with what you paraphrased about anyone being able to be a father, but not everyone being a Dad. There are many who may have had a less than wonderful relationship with their fathers and this day may bring pain. I think of Melissastar and I know there are others. We must remember that although our dads may not have been all we could have wished for, we have a Father that is more than we could ever hope for. God is the one who really deserves to be remembered as a loving father. I do not mean to take away from those who have wonderful fathers. I only wish to bring those who didn't into the picture as well.
A few months ago, I was doing some rearranging of things in the house and a thought came to mind. I was talking with the Lord about my (step)son and his fiancee. The words crossed my lips to the effect of since they are getting married soon, it would be great if he were willing to change his name when she changes hers. It woudl be the perfect time. But I had given up on that happening as he had said everyone knew him by the name he had been carrying all of his 20 something years.
It was about two weeks later that it she asked IF I WOULD BE OFFENDED if he had his name changed. I said let me pick my chin off of the floor. No, I would not be offended. They felt it would minimize confussion in the minds of any children they would have.
I believe that the Lord was preparing me for for the suprise a couple of weeks before that conversation.
You just never know how or when God will answer your prayers!
