Why It's So Important to Celebrate Father's Day The Father's Day celebration reminds us of the importance and challenges of fatherhood. Fathers do not always enjoy the light of intimacy and admiration we give to our mothers. Indeed, fathers have the cultural image of winning bread, disciplinary, authority figure. When you were growing up, how many times did you hear your mother say, "Wait until your father comes home!" Traditionally, our culture has often placed fathers in a very difficult role. They must be distant but intimate; must earn the salary, but be present; must be compassionate, but disciplinary.
Well, it's time to give our dads a little slack!
It is not surprising that the father we most often recognize in the Bible is the father of the prodigal son. This is the most inspiring and revealing story of fatherhood. It is unconditional love in its highest form. If we use this story to reflect the grace and love of God, it also aims to show how human fathers should be understood.
Fathers often assume the burden of their responsibilities but are conditioned not to show it. It sometimes hurts their ability to express their affection and our ability to recognize it. Fortunately, our culture is changing and more and more fathers are involved in parenting in a very direct and intimate way. Some fathers are now taking paternity leave at the birth of a child. They also understand the importance of playing with their children at night and on weekends.
Our understanding of the notion of "family" is also evolving. Some of us had the pleasure of being a godfather or "father figure" of younger family members who may have lost their biological father. Many children grow up in single-parent families with only one father or one mother. We have learned that it is love, care and presence that defines fatherhood.
As we celebrate this special day, remember that he may seem distant but is probably closer to you than you think, for that special person in our life we call father. It may be the definition of "tough love", but it's love. Even if your father, father or "old man" is grumpy, insightful and distant, remember that more likely than not, you are more important to him than you can imagine. So, if your father is / was present / loving and showed it to him, show it to him. In both cases, embarrass your dad with a lot of attention, praise and gratitude. Believe me, he will love!
Thank you,
Although the event inspired Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Calvin Coolidge to urge Americans to one day recognize fathers in their administrations, it was still not a holiday. Unfortunately, the enthusiasm for the commemoration did not last long. In the 1920s and 1930s, people tried to suppress Mother's Day and Father's Day and replace them with Parents' Day.
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