That wonderful day of honor has arrived. That wonderful day is the day that has been set aside to say “thank you” to that special man in your life. He may be your father, husband, brother, uncle, or mentor. No matter what the title, that special man in your life is being given just a fraction of his just due on his special day, Father’s Day.
Many dads have been known to say that they don’t receive the same recognition on Father’s Day that mother’s receive on their day of honor.
Well, I won’t try to prove them wrong because so many are adamant about this belief. Speaking of being adamant, something else that I would like for them to believe is the fact that so many lives are stronger, better and blessed because of the fathers who played an important role in the life of a child.
As millions across the country observe Father’s Day, I would like to share some brief history of the day set aside for that special man in each of our lives. I’d also like to take a moment to thank God for the six special men He placed in my life: my husband, my father and my four brothers. The thought of each one fills my heart with joy; just as each holds a very special place in my heart. God has blessed me with men who are strong, proud and loving and I pray that my son possesses the same qualities as he matures into manhood.
Okay, now returning to the history of Father’s Day.
The origin of Father’s Day is not clear. Some say that it began with a church service in West Virginia in 1908. Others say the first Father’s Day ceremony was held in Vancouver, Washington.
Regardless of when the first true Father’s Day occurred, the strongest promoter of the holiday was Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. She thought of the idea for Father’s Day while listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909.
Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. Smart, who was a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife died while giving birth to their sixth child. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington State.
After Sonora became an adult she realized the selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent. It was her father that made all the parental sacrifices and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man.
In 1909, Dodd approached her minister and others in Spokane about having a church service dedicated to fathers on June 5, her father’s birthday. That date was too soon for her minister to prepare the service, so he spoke a few weeks later on June 19.
From then on, the state of Washington celebrated the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Children made special desserts, or visited their fathers if they lived apart.
In early times, wearing flowers was a traditional way of celebrating Father’s Day. Dodd favored the red rose to honor a father still living, while a white flower honored a deceased dad.
In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge made Father’s Day a national event to “establish more intimate relations between fathers and their children and to impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations.” Since then, fathers have been honored and recognized by their families throughout the country on the third Sunday in June.
As we recognize our earthly fathers and father figures, let us not forget to always honor our supreme Father. Let us always share the good news of our Heavenly Father.
Remember the verse that I often find myself sharing with you – Isaiah 52:7 (NIV), which reads: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, Your God reigns!”
As a messenger for news in and around the state of Mississippi, we want to serve as your personal messenger to share your good news and testimonies. We want to hear about your personal celebrations as well as the good news that is a part of your places of worship.
If you would like to share the events that are taking place in your congregation, religious organization or place of worship, send your information to the address below.
Daphne M. Higgins, religion editor at religion@mississippilink.com. You may fax 601 896-0091 or mail your information to our newspaper at 2689 Livingston Road, Jackson. MS 39283.
Be the first to comment