As Father's Day 2005 approached, I did a search on the internet on the origin of Father's Day and found a number of articles on the subject. Most of these articles agreed on the pivotal role of one woman in Spokane, Washington, in bringing about Father's Day as we know it today. I reproduce below, an excerpt from one of the websites visited (unfortunately, I did not note the website, and have been unable to trace this particular site):

Sonora Dodd, of Washington, first had the idea of a "father's day". She thought of the idea for Father's Day while listening to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909.

Sonora wanted a special day to honour her father, William Smart. Smart, who was a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife died while giving birth to their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington State.

After Sonora became an adult, she realized the selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent. It was her father that made all the parental sacrifices, and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man. Sonora's father was born in June, so she chose to hold the first Father's Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910.

President Calvin Coolidge, in 1924, supported the idea of a national Father's Day. Then, in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day. President Richard Nixon signed the law which finally made it permanent in 1972.

As I read several other articles on the subject, I was intrigued to see how one woman's desire and determination to honour her father became a national phenomenon that captured the attention, assent, and proclamation of presidents, and finally a signing into law of what we know today to be Father's Day! Indeed, Father's Day has become an international phenomenon, celebrated all over the world by even some who don't know how the whole idea originated!

Through this article, I would like to introduce you to the Father of all flesh, and indeed, a Father of fathers: He is God Almighty. I will also like to introduce you to His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ!

A father is the source or origin of human life, and he is expected to take care of his offspring. Clearly, Sonora Dodd had a point, and this should not be belittled. However, it is interesting to note that we do not accord this same honour, or an even greater one to God, who is the Father of all human beings!

God, and His Son, Jesus Christ, are the source of life as we know it (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-5). They were both involved in creating the world and man. It is God who made man in His image and likeness, and gave him the breath of life (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:7; Colossians 1:16-17).

Of course, there's more to a father than birthing a new life into this world. Some have postulated that after God created the world and put man in it, He abandoned man to his devises. Nothing can be farther from the truth!

God is a loving and caring father who is always eager to bless and direct his children (Psalm 103:13-18). He is a "Father to the fatherless ..." (Psalm 68:5) and "... will guide you along the best pathway for your life. will advise you and watch over you." (Psalm 32:8). Those who have never had the privilege of knowing or experiencing a father's love can enjoy it when they come to know God through Jesus Christ and are willing to enter into a relationship with Him. God cares for everyone, especially those who deny His existence. He loves them deeply and longs for them to know the truth. God's love for the sinner and the lost is demonstrated in the free gift of love through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son (John 3:16).

It would be foolhardy to die of thirst just because one doesn't like the source of the spring or cannot be bothered with going to fetch some water to drink. Today, we present to you the way to go -- turn to God while there is still an opportunity. If you should die without having had a relationship with Jesus, the consequences will be grave and eternal!

God is loving and is always ready to forgive all those who humble themselves before Him in repentance of their sins (Ezekiel 18:30-32). The one thing that has estranged mankind from God is sin. But when an individual gets rid of sin in his/her life, real peace will reign between that individual and God. The provision God has made for eliminating sin is available to everyone. He says, "Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13). The operational words are anyone who calls; and this includes you! You are the one to make the move!

What wonderful love and grace God has shown toward His creation. And that is the reason we ought to honour Him at all times.

'The Lord's Prayer' reads in part, "... Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored." (Matthew 6:9 New Living Translation). God Himself admonished Israel's priests, saying, "Isn't it true that a son honors his father and a worker his master? So if I'm your Father, where's the honor? If I'm your Master, where's the respect? ..." (Malachi 1:6 The Message). God's admonition is very relevant and applicable to all human beings today! The truth, dear friend, is that there's an Almighty creator to whom we will all give an account of how we lived our lives while on earth, and that is enough reason to fear and reverence Him!

To honour God, we must first surrender our lives and everything about us to Him, obey Him and live by His precepts, and finally, worship Him every day, giving Him thanks and praise for His love, care, and forgiveness.

As you decide to honour God, you will begin to see the changes He will make in your life and circumstances. It only takes a willing person to enter an everlasting relationship with a loving, caring, and forgiving God.

Don't keep this message to yourself; please pass it on! May the Lord bless you abundantly.

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