There is a masculine dimension to life that is often highlighted on Father's Day. We need such a day to reflect upon and express appreciation for those who have birthed us. The nurturing of a father or a father figure is essential to emotional, mental, and spiritual health. We do well to recognize this aspect of our development and find ways to celebrate the fatherliness of life.

Although only one man can be father in a biological sense, many men can contribute to our need for masculine identity. The ministers, the youth leaders, the coaches, the teachers, the uncles, the grandfathers, and other male influences can be and perhaps have been significant role models in the larger parenting process. Therefore, we bring to Father's Day a lot of feelings toward the man we call "Daddy." Yet, we honor many men who are patriarchs in terms of our faith and witness.

Jesus gave us an image of God as a loving Father. He taught us to pray to the Father in heaven. He pictured God as a caring parent who grieved over Jerusalem. The Bible is full of fatherly attributes of God's nature. "As a father pitieth his children so the Lord has compassion on them that fear Him," writes the Psalmist. Isaiah talks about "Everlasting Father and Prince of peace." Paul emphasizes the fact that we are the sons and daughters of God. Since we are children of God then we must have a Father in heaven.

Of course, our concept of God the Father is limited or enhanced by our experience with an earthly father. It is sobering for fathers to realize their relationship with their children may seriously affect their child's responsiveness to God the Father. Nothing can equip us to love and appreciate our heavenly Father like a stong, caring earthly father. When father-child relationships are hindered by death, divorce, job demands, or any of life's circumstances it hinders the "father" side of our understanding of God. There may not be as much sentimental verbiage to Father's Day as with Mother's Day, but there is a lot of emotional meaning in the word "father." Today is designed to celebrate the best in human fatherhood. Let us praise the God of our fathers from whom all blessings flow. One of His greatest blessings is a loving earthly father.