Sunday Sermon - Father's Day

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Category: Sermons
Written by Ren Sydrick

Sunday Sermon - Father’s Day

June 17, 2012

 

                I would like to start off by saying sorry to all the ladies as this week’s sermon will mostly be to the guys.  This is Father’s day but to me I feel the name should be changed.  Why? Father’s Day is a day to celebrate fatherhood but in my opinion there are some fathers that do not deserve to be celebrated.  I know that statement will be frowned upon by some but let me explain.  Any male individual can be a father.  All it takes is a donation of seed.  Once that happens he no longer needs to do anything else and, once the child is born he will be a father.  He can disappear for life and still be the father.  Does that deserve celebration? No.  Now say he stays around.  What about the fathers that are abusive either mentally by not taking time to spend with their children, yelling constantly for no reason, putting them down with names etc. Is that worth celebrating? Again, I say no.  Like I said any one can be a father but it takes something special to be a dad.

                A dad is a father that cares about his children.  A man that takes the time to spend getting to know them and helping them grow.  A dad is someone that takes interest in what his child is doing and teaches them the difference from right and wrong.  It is not enough to just be there unless you truly care.  That is the difference between being a Father and being a Dad.  The love you have for your children should radiate to them in actions not just words.  A father punishes their child; a dad punishes and teaches the child why it is wrong.

                I was adopted so I did not know my biological father.  The man that adopted me was mentally abusive though to this day will not admit it.  He constantly called me names and said I was a loser.  I was also hit with about anything that could be picked up in one hand as punishment.  He also never attended any of the things that I did growing up such as baseball, wrestling, and theater.  He was a father but too busy to be a dad.  Now that I am a Dad I learned from that influence and choose to never treat my child that way.  She is rewarded for good things with “snuggles” and encouragement.  She still gets punished for the wrong that she does but also gets told why it is wrong and how to fix it.  I encourage her creativity and try to help her with things that interest her.  As a special thing we do for the last 5 years (she is 8 now) we spend at least one day each week with just me and her.  She calls it “Daddy Daughter Date Night”.  What a special day this is whether we go out to eat, visit the zoo, or just hang out; it is just me and her.

                It is a very special feeling to be a dad and so hard to describe to those that don’t have children.  One great experience that I had as a dad was late at night I was working on some homework at about 2am.  Next thing I know my daughter, who was 6 at the time, came into the room and climbed on my lap.  I asked her if she was ok and she said “I just needed some snuggles from my daddy” and then fell back asleep with her little arms around my neck.  Guys you have not lived until you have a little angel with her arms around you and calling you daddy.

                So as I said at the beginning I think Father’s Day should be renamed Daddy’s Day because it is the Dads that deserve celebrating not the fathers.  Guys I hope you all strive to be dads.  Don’t just be there.  Show them that you truly love them.  Be interested without judgment.  In closing I would like to recommend anyone that has not seen it to watch the movie “Courageous”.  It talks a lot about what I am saying here.  Also, as my song for the week, listen to the song “Tough Little Boys” by Gary Allen.  I will forewarn you to have tissues ready for both.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l_cCKLHRoo

 

Comments   

 
#11 Sabian Tholonian 2012-06-19 04:36
Master, you speak true words through your message.

As the years roll by, I look at my Dad with the highest respect. A man who worked hard for everything. Who educated me in the ways of survival. A man who taught me the ways of life. To be handed nothing and earn everything. This Daddy's Day, I stood beside my father at his church and I realized that I am proud to be his son. There were no fighting the tears...I let them fall. I was letting go everything I was afraid to lose.
 
 
#12 Wescli Wardest 2012-06-19 13:49
Thank you. :)
 
 
#13 Planet of Chaos 2012-06-19 22:54
Yeah, I have two fathers. One ex-step father, one biological father. I don't have a good relationship with either of them. One practically raised me, even though I wasn't his own but feels he can hold it over my head, if I disagree with him in any way. The other one has been trying to have a relationship with me even though I never grew up with him. It feels weird just calling him father, or saying I love you. You can tell we're of the same blood but other than physical similarities, our minds are completely different.. His is twisted with fundamentalism, guilt, war, and far too many hits to the head while playing football.. So, I guess, needless to say I didn't really celebrate fathers day.
 
 
#14 Hadi Apollos 2012-06-24 23:14
Thank you for this. Although I am 1200 miles from my daughter who is living with her mother, I still keep constant contact with her via Skype, and always giving extra money to make sure she has everything she needs. Even though we are so far apart, we are still very close.
I have to agree, Daddy's Day is a much better term!
 
 
#15 Pickled_Pigface 2012-06-26 16:51
Such a beautiful and oh so true message Master Damion. My Daddy's day was amazing, I also know what it is like to truly live. Thank you for this pick me up.
 
 
#16 Clar me 2012-06-27 20:09
This is really good. My husband is a great Dad and has his "Daddy Day" with our son once a week. I salute all the Dads! :lol:
 
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