Celebrate Your Father

"Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God." And David said, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, " Go, and may the LORD be with you." (1 Samuel 17:36-37, NAS)

When the good Lord was creating fathers, He started with a tall frame. An angel nearby said, "What kind of father is that? If you’re going to make children so close to the ground why have you put fathers up so high? He won't be able to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck a child into bed without bending or even kiss a child without a lot of stooping." And God smiled and said "Yes, but if I make him child-size, who would children have to look up to?"

We have all heard of the courage David exhibited in meeting the giant Goliath. However we probably have not given him credit for his conduct in a previous contest. Before the encounter with the Philistine, David fought a battle which cost him far more thought, prudence, and patience.

The battle of words in which he found himself engaged with his brothers and with king Saul was a more trying ordeal to him than going forth in the strength of the Lord to smite the uncircumcised boaster.

Can you recall the many times your father encountered more trouble from his friends and relatives than from his enemies? A man that learns to overcome the depressing influence of prudent friends will speedily defeat the opposition of avowed adversaries.

Society has chronicled and showcased the failures of fathers (African-American fathers in particular) via mainstream media. Lyricists pen songs that express their displeasure with fathers who aren’t functioning as responsible role models. Rhetoric from the pulpit perpetuates their disgust with struggling fathers in demonstrative and captivating presentation while giving minimal attention to the episodes of non-dysfunction.