Celebrating the Love of our Fathers

A Father’s Love
by Chris Sanders, Pastoral Associate

A child’s hand is engulfed in the palm of his tall father’s. The grip is secure, firm, loving and gentle, not tight and restraining. The gait of the two were synchronized in both their steps and the sway of their shoulders. There was a tender care taken by the man for the child as they crossed the street in a melodic stroll, a reverent dance or a sacred space moment. Anyone who noticed could witness the love. Words flowed from the child’s lips quickly as the low roar of laughter escaped his father. The hands never released even when reaching their destination. Both were comfortable, affectionate and loving. Is this how our loving Father is?

Dads come in a wide variety. They can be providers, loving, giving, nurturing, biological, adopted, fatherly role models, mentors, trustworthy, resilient, hope-filled and our best coaches in life. But sometimes they are absent, broken or limited. We all have one, yet our experiences and relationships are vastly different.

Some sociologists believe our first image of God may correlate with our experience of our own dads. The way our father related to us as a child may determine the way we depict God early in our faith life or even today. If we had a loving and compassionate dad, we may see God as all loving and all compassionate. However, if our only experience with a father or fatherly role model was critical, abusive or absent this may also be our view of God, a God whom we do not trust or who is not there.

“Into your hands I commend my spirit” were the last words Jesus breathed in this world. Words he projects to us with the image of a loving Father ready to swoop him up in God’s abundant care. Words that amplify the image of trust and knowing of a God who is there and ready to receive.

Father’s Day is a special day to recognize all those loved dads or dad role models in our lives who provide their loving care as they guide their children on the path of life with open hearts. Take time to give thanks, remember and be grateful for all of the dads who give more than they take,  inspire without recognition and  love us unconditionally. Thankfulness can also be given to yourself if you were given a challenging childhood,  because you are loved and have been made whole by the same loving father Jesus speaks of with loving hands and a heart of unconditional love.


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