Father's Day

Some Bodys Watching You

Father’s Day what a wonderful day its a day when your kids get to take you out to eat and they get to pay! Isn’t that awesome! Now they may borrow money from you to pay for lunch from you before they take you but its the thought that counts, right.

It is a day to celebrate our Father’s, a task that is not taken lightly. I can talk about being a father all day how great it was to be a dad and to raise my kids. How great it is to go play catch after working a 12 hour day, showing up to a band performance and staying awake even after working outside all day. As fathers it is not even a question as to if we will be there. Our children are our pride and joy. Even when they hit those teenage years and we no longer cool or know what we are talking about.

Mark Twain said, "When I was a boy of 14 my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to 21, I was astonished at how much the old man learned in 7 years."

I want to talk to you today from the eyes of a proud father. I love both of my daughters and as they were growing up, both had me wrapped around their finger. Everything I did as a father was with the intent to see them acheive their full potential. To love them unconditionally and make sure they were protected and provided for. I was taught as a young boy these are the things a father does.

The love of a father should mirror the love our heavenly father shows on us. I want us to look at the parable of the prodigal son or the wayward son.

Luke 15

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons.

12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.

13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.

This parable gives the example of two different types of children. The rule follower and the worldly child. I believe most parents have characteristics of one or both of these types of children in their children. My daughters are both as different as night and day. Every chance they got growing up they would compare the other to themselves always asking which was my favorite. The truth is both were my favorite. I loved them both equally just in different ways. Even when they were in their defiant years I loved them and strived harder to show them.

15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!

I can not speak for every child, but when I was young I thought I knew everything and left home at an early age going to conquer the world. It was only when I faced the world on my own that I realized, how much my father protected me and provided for me. It was only then that I found out how much my dad really did know.

18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.

19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’

As sons and daughters we struggle to understand how much our parents love us, until we become parents ourselves. When we mess up sometimes we think oh no I have messed up my parents will never forgive me, or we begin to believe the lie that we could be anything less to our parents than their child.

20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

I hear all the time man I could never go to church the ceiling would cave in, or man I would be struck with lightning if I walked in there. My response is I know the pastor and he hasnt been struck yet so you should be good. As fathers we may let our children down, because we are only human, but one Father that will never stop loving you, will never turn His back on you, that will never let you down or love less. God the heavenly Father when you turn and come back home will never look at you as less than a son or daughter.

22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

When a wayward son or daughter comes home and returns to their parents there is a celebration in those parents hearts. What was gone is now returned. The child I poured my whole life into has returned. How could I not rejoice, prayers have been answered.

With every sibling there is always the thoughts of thats not fair. I did everything right and they did everything wrong, thats not fair.

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’

28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,

29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.

30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’

31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

A father cherishes the company of his children and that should never be taken lightly with out children. When a child that has been lost and has returned. The feeling of completion that overwhelms us. What we have prayed for so earnestly, the hoping and waiting for that knock on the door, the sight of a returned child. We cherish and love our children that have stayed true and close, but until all our children have returned there is always a missing piece.

As parents when we see our children with love, how much more does God the Father see you. We know love because it is given to us by God Himself.

1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Proverbs 22:6: "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."

Malachi 4:6: "He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers."