Dr. Lawrence Butler

The Bridge Church, Pembroke 

There are so many days and months of special recognition in our annual calendar these days until it’s hard to keep up with them.

No doubt the commercialization of holidays plays a big role in us having so many. We are bombarded with advertising that seems to run year-round.

However, one holiday is quickly approaching the simply does not appear to receive the respect it should. That day is “Father’s Day.”

The most called telephone number on Mother’s Day is Mama’s. It’s just not the same for fathers. My opinion is that there is a real failure of men to be fathers. We are all in for good times, we love the parties and the alcohol, but being a dad? Hmm, that calls for a lot of responsibility that most guys are just not up for.

Marriage was considered an honorable life course for men in earlier generations. Today it seems antiquated and unnecessary. Mariage simply complicates the situation when the relationship becomes untenable. It is so much easier to walk away when there are no legal ties binding a couple together. One divorce leads to another, often with serious difficulties for the man, until marriage is no longer an option.

My concern today is for the children. I sat at a table with food and family when growing up which resulted in a family that stayed connected in adulthood. Today’s children split time between parents, or in some instances have no relationship at all with one of the parents. A home without both parents working together to build lives for themselves and their children was never God’s desire for us.

Malachi 2:15 warns us that we are not to deal inappropriately with our wives because God seeks children who will be taught to love and serve Him. Boys and girls need a father in their lives. Your children need you! What are your plans this Father’s Day? If you are not privileged to live with them, why not make plans to be there for them this holiday? Why not make arrangements to be in their lives as a father should be, providing assistance when needed, advice and counsel when appropriate and a loving presence as much as possible?

Being a father is not an easy task, but it is a rewarding one. The longer you live the better the connection should be. It is a sad position to come to the end of life and have no association with your children.

Go see yours this Father’s Day.