FATHER'S DAY is coming soon.
Unhappily special occasions have become less special and more of an occasion, for the occasion's sake. This is true for Christmas (the celebration of the incarnation of God the Son, in the Person of Jesus Christ), and true for the Resurrection of Christ from the dead physically (usually referred to by the pagan name, "Easter"), and true for Mother's Day and Father's Day. Too often people will "celebrate" the occasion, but not really have a living relationship with the one they are supposedly honoring.
As a father, a husband, I like to be honored, loved by my children. Honor and love are not an "occasional" event. Honor and love are a daily reality, relationship. On a much higher note, it is futile to celebrate either the birth of Christ or His resurrection one day a year (or one day a week) if we don't really honor and love Him every day with every fiber of our being.
As a father, a husband, I am NOT interested in expressions of love or honor from any child who does not also love and honor their mother, my wife. (This principle also applies to brotherly and sisterly love in the family). This is basic to husbands and wives being one flesh. But it is also specifically true when the wife, the mother, is worthy of love and respect. To offend my wife is more repulsive to me than to offend me, because I know what a wonderful mother, wife, woman Martha is.
This may sound harsh. IT AIN'T. It is valid. If someone does not like me for what I say, then you need to change the way you relate to your mom and dad. God wants families to be bound together by love, respect. Parents should love their children and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Children are expected to love and respect (honor) their parents. When that relationship exists, it is as close to heaven on earth as we will find.
So, if you don't honor your mom, don't even think about telling me Happy Father's Day. On the other hand, if you have not honored your mom,
why not repent,
why not make it right,
why not start doing the right thing today?
God is redemptive, and so are moms and dads who love Jesus.
Psalms 133:1
(1) ...Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
