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Recognize spiritual and biological fathers
In the pulpit
Edith Anderson
Edith Anderson

Society holds mothers in high esteem, and rightfully so. But it sometimes overlooks the very important role fathers play. Fathers are special, too, and they deserve the utmost honor and tribute.

That is why more than 106 years after the first Father’s Day in 1910 in Spokane, Washington, we pause to salute and honor the many ordinary men who are fathers. They don’t ask for much, yet many of them do extraordinary things, and they just want us to show them love and respect.

In his book, "7 Things He’ll Never Tell You (But You Need to Know)," author and radio and television personality Dr. Kevin Leman said the top three things a man wants are: To be respected, to be needed and to be fulfilled. Therefore, we are honoring our fathers, telling them they are needed, and trying to help them feel fulfilled.

Our lives were shaped in many ways by our fathers. Sometimes, fathers are in the background, while moms take the center stage. They may not say much, but they are there when the family needs them.

God knew what it would take to make up the family, so he created man to be a father and woman to be a mother. Fathers were our heroes long before athletes and celebrities stole our attention.

Every child longs to have a father he or she can look up to, share life experiences with, and just know he will be there when needed. Perhaps some of you have lost your father or never knew your father. Well, don’t think you are fatherless. David, the psalmist, comforts us in Psalm 68:5 with these inspiring words about our heavenly Father, "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling" (New Living Translation).

God has also placed spiritual fathers in our lives. Glean from them; tap their wisdom and experience. Honor and respect them. In our fast-paced, social media-driven society, many young people fail to recognize and appreciate the father figures — whether biological or spiritual — God has given them. When we learn to treasure these relationships, we will become better people.

As we celebrate Father’s Day, do something for your father and spiritual fathers. Show them how much you appreciate them for the many blessings they have sown in your life. Call them and tell them how much you love and appreciate them.

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