Tribute To Fathers
© James E. Tate

My son, keep the commandments of thy father,
and forget not the law of thy mother. Proverbs 6:20 KJV
Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old,
he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 KJV

We wish to highlight fathers in this article. There's only one thing better than a child reading a Christian story—his dad reading it to him. Here's the way one poet phrases it:

Richer than I, you could never be,
For I had a father who read to me.

Father's Day, weighing in just behind Mother's Day, is customarily filled with cards, dinners, and celebrations for the event. As we writers portray our adoration to fathers in essays, poetry, and songs, let us review the origin of this day of remembrance.

History of Father's Day—Father's Day was officially established in 1972 by President Nixon. However its origin dates back almost one hundred years. On the third Sunday of June 1908, Dr. Robert Webb conducted what is believed to be the first Father's Day service at a Fairmont, West Virginia church. The following year, Mrs. John Dodd of Spokane, spearheaded a Father's Day celebration, and, unknowingly, chose the same day for its observation. The event became increasingly popular as the years passed, eventually becoming legendary.

I looked for a short Father's Day poem in our FOCP Library of Poetic Expression, and found several that caught my attention. My thanks to all poets who contribute these poems. I considered three for including, but space only allows one, with honorary mention to these: "Kevin's Prayer" by Jacqueline A. Cosgrove, has a very touching message. "That's My Dad" by Jackie Hand speaks to the great value of father's. You may read these and others by visiting the FOCP Library, Category- Father's Day. I selected Jill Lemming's poem, "Tribute to Fathers". Jill sums up her thoughts succinctly, depicting the path of fathers as a sacred gift from God. This article bears her title.

Tribute To Fathers
By Jill Lemming

A father needs to know he's loved,
And cherished through the years...
Valued by his family,
Trusted and revered.

He cares for all his children,
And wants the best for them...
He prays for their protection,
And in time, they pray for him.

He doesn't have to say it,
for his children truly know...
He disciplines and guides them,
Because he loves them so.

Lord, thank You for our fathers,
And for all the things they do...
The path You've set before them,
Is a sacred gift from You.

On Father's Day and always,
bless the fathers we adore...
May they teach their children wisely,
how to love and serve the Lord.

Thank you, Jill. Keep blessing us with poetry. Other Christian poets may be motivated to recognize Father's Day in verse. Here is some guidance, which applies to many genres from a retired and well-respected minister:

The Lord is There
By Grady Adcock

Poetry is more by far than a rhyme;
There should be a message on every line.
Make your poems tell the story
Of our Lord in all his glory.

My own father looked after me when I was growing up, teaching me how to get along with others, and to do the right things in life. I always knew he was there for me, so on this Father's Day I honor him posthumously with this poem.

Who would bounce a little child on his knees,
and recite nursery rhymes? A father would.
Who would take a little boy on his first fishing trip?
A father would.
Who would teach a little girl hopscotch—and let her win?
A father should.
Who would teach a growing child softball?
A father surely would.
Who would teach a teenager to drive?
A father better!
Who would walk down the aisle with his about-to-be-married daughter,
squeeze her hand and let her know he enjoyed the moment as well as she?
A smiling father would.
Who would be an example to his children by reading the Bible?
A man of real fatherhood!

Children can be such an encouragement to their parents—all year long. My daughter, Pamela, sent me a nice book for Christmas in 1986 after suffering through her divorce. With mending heart, she wrote a note inside the cover which reads: To My Dad: "I love you for all your understanding and constant encouragement. Life would be a lot harder for me without you to back me up and to keep me going. I love you!" Pam.

As we remember fathers, let us never forget the brave deed our founding fathers did in signing the American Declaration of Independence. Here are excerpts from a poem regarding the event. You may read all seven stanzas by visiting the FOCP Library, Category, Independence.

The Declaration, as Jefferson penned it,
Called for British rule to be ended.
Unalienable rights of freedom were told
When John Hancock etched his signature bold.

Fifty-six strong and courageous men
Took in hand a goose-quill pen.
Knowing the risk, and holding life dear,
They signed the charter, ignoring the fear.

Five endured torture, which took their lives
Never returning home to their wives.
Twelve homes were looted, plundered, or burned,
And nine men died in a war they had spurned.

Now, we cherish this land of ours,
And give praise to Higher Powers.
God has smiled on its fruited plains,
And blessed its wealth of golden grains.

We pay tribute to our fathers, and grandfathers, showering them with kind words of appreciation, and many laden with cherished memories. Reaching out we extend respect to our historical forefathers, and founding fathers. All earthly fathers, but we would be grossly remiss to omit our Heavenly Father. To Him we give praise, prayers, and worship, realizing that without Him there would be no earthly fathers, mothers, sisters, nor brothers. Let us give our Heavenly Father highest honor on this day.

When we think about our utter dependence upon Him, we are awed by his love for us. Consider a few Scriptures from Paul's sermon to the Areopagus:

A prayer for living fathers:

Lord, satisfy my father with long life.
Keep him safe with a hedge around him.
Protect him from the snare of the fowler and every pestilence.
Let the joy of the Lord be his strength.
Perfect, and establish him in the eternal glory of Christ Jesus.
(See Psalm 91:16, Job 1:10, Psalm 91:3, Nehemiah 8:10, 1 Peter 5:10)

Until next time, be blessed. James