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.

To ask you to ignore the failures of a dysfunctional father is unfair, however, I would encourage you to celebrate anything good that you have experienced tacitly or directly, by and with, your father.

Celebrate your father for teaching you kindness by being thoughtful and gracious, patience by being gentle and understanding. Celebrate your father for teaching you honesty by keeping his promises to his family even at the expense of disappointing others. Celebrate your father for teaching you courage by living unafraid with faith; justice by being fair and equitable with everyone. Celebrate your father for teaching you obedience to God's word by precept and example as he reads and prays daily with his family.

If your father isn’t functioning as the king God has created him to be, pray that the Holy Spirit will arrest him and enlighten him to the love and wonders of the grace of God. If your relationship with your father is strained, Malachi 4:6 (NAS) gives you a promise, “He will restore the hearts of the fathers to {their} children and the hearts of the children to their fathers” Celebrate your father. He is still someone you can look up to.

Have a Purpose Driven Day. P.S. Always remember, worship is a lifestyle, not a momentary experience.

Rev. Craig A. Brown is the President/CEO of Word-Song Ministries and Ministry Solutions Group. To schedule a ministry or consultation appointment, please contact him at revcab@comcast.net.