Father's Day (6.12.24)

Is it Father’s Day again?  It seems like it was Mother’s Day just a few weeks ago.  I know Father’s Day does not get as much notice as Mother’s Day but it is a holiday!  Maybe it’s just in my mind.  Father’s Day is the day my kids when they were young used to ask me for money to buy me a present. 

This Father’s Day is special due to the events playing out in the national news.  This week it is said for the first time, a child of the president was convicted of a crime, while their father was President of the United States.  I have no judgement or opinion on the event.  It is interesting to me that no child of any president has ever done anything wrong for the 4 or 8 years their father was president for over 200 years. Seems more likely to me, that no news of a child doing anything has ever gotten out until now.  Maybe there are no records of anything that was done.  Maybe all children of the presidents were perfect for over 200 years, until now.  What I do have an opinion on is the love he showed for his son.  He did not pardon him, but he did stand with him.  He did not ban him from the White House, or refuse to acknowledge him as his son.  He expresses support for what he has become, and not what he was in the past.  I believe that is a blueprint for what a father should be to his family. 
Somebody might say, “if he was a better father, maybe his child would have never been in trouble in the first place!”  I don’t think that is true!  I think it does not always matter how good you are as a parent, sometimes life just happens.  I wish I could say my children turned out perfect, and have never made a mistake.  I am blessed to have wonderful children, who have been a great blessing in my life.  I am sure they are much better than I could ever deserve, and I am extremely grateful for them, but they are still not perfect.  Maybe they are wishing I was a better father?  God knows I have tried, but I openly admit, I am so far from perfect, it is ashamed.  I am praying for the Biden Family, no matter what the outcome.  I am also praying for every family that is dealing with the mistakes of their children, whether big or small. 

It is hard to believe that this is the week June 12, 1994, that Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman was stabbed to death and murdered in Los Angels on the outside of her home.  O.J. Simpson her ex-husband, became the prime subject.  That took place over 30 years ago, and it is still hard to talk about it today.  One policeman who was a part of the case, made it known in a news interview, that the murder case was not about the murder but about the mistrust of the Los Angels Police Department.  Whatever someone believed on that day, when the jury gave their verdict, is most likely what they still believe today!  All of this time, anniversaries, movies, have not changed anyone’s mind. 

I must be getting old now, but someone who was president when I was younger would have had his 100th birthday this week of Father’s Day.  I speak of none other than George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st president of the United States.  He was born June 12, 1924, he died November 30th, 2018.  At the time of his death, he was considered the longest living president in history at the age of 94.  That is no longer true, because, Jimmy Carter the #38th president was born the same year on October 1, 1924 and he is 99 years old and at the time of this writing was still alive.  I believe that the president is like a temporary father to the country.  I wonder if fathers had to be voted in by their family, how many would get re-elected?
Father’s Day is also special to me, because that was my first Sunday at Bethlehem Temple as a new pastor 34 years ago.  I pastored in a city called Ashtabula, Ohio for 10 years before coming to the Ohio Valley.  I also pastor Shiloh Apostolic Faith Assembly in Weirton, WV for now 20 years.  I have been pastoring for over 44 years.  Is pastoring something like being a father?  I believe it is a type of fathering as well.    Just because you do it for a long time, does not mean you are any good at it.  One thing for sure, I have definitely tried to be good.
It is at times like these that you look back over your life to see what you have accomplished.  Have I been a good father, a good husband, or in my case a good pastor? In my own estimation I am sure I should have and could have done better. I always feel as if no matter what I do, I still come up short of where I need to be. I wonder do other fathers, husbands, and in my case pastors, feel that same way?  Is it wrong to receive affirmation and encouragement from those you love and serve?

I encourage wives, children, and members of churches to speak well of their spiritual fathers (pastors) and natural fathers as often as possible.  I am convinced it would make them work harder.  When I see my wife carrying something and I rush to carry it for her, she says, “You’re the man, you’re so strong!  Thank you, Mr. Hulk!”  Do you know what that does for me? It makes me want to do more for her.  “Honey, if you think that was something, next time I’ll pick up the car for you, and carry you and your bags in the house!” Of course, the truth is my back was hurting over the bags that she was carrying with ease.  When you encourage someone, it starts a mutual admiration society.

Say something nice to your spiritual father and if your earthly father is still alive, say it to him every chance you get.  It makes them work harder.
From the Cummings family, “Happy Father’s Day!”