According to the Bible, we are commanded to honor thy father. What exactly does that mean? Since I am a believer of the word of God. I have no problem being obedient to what is written in the Holy Scriptures. Let’s examine the early beginnings of Father’s Day.
The custom of honoring dad’s on a special day was traced in the ruins of Babylon over 4,000 years old. A young boy called Elmusu carved a Father’s Day message on a card made out of clay wishing his Babylonian father good health and a long life.
Upon further examination of honor thy father in the Bible, it is the first commandment of the 10 giving any promise. It implies a shorter life, providing there is no set time to die and suggesting that man more or less determines his own length of life and destiny. Such a simple request!
I am not one to point a finger but the latest statistics about children being raised in fatherless homes sheds light on an important issue. What comes to mind is the recent riot situation that occurred in Baltimore. We all know there are circumstances that have left many kids being brought up by mothers and grandparents. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the single mother that snatched her son out of the violent protests she viewed on television.
- As for the statistics, there a new report released by the Family Research Council’s Marriage and Religious Institute (MARRI) that states that only 16 percent of 15 – to 17-year old teens in Baltimore have been raised in an intact, married family.
It isn’t just Baltimore but the family structure has been crumbling for many decades. I agree with MARRI, the destruction of the family is mostly due to poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, crime and dropping out of school as well as emotional problems and high school dropout rates are linked to fatherlessness. There is no denying the importance of a father in a home.
Aunt Caroline, Dad and Mom in the 1950s Some interesting facts about Father’s Day:
- Father’s Day was introduced by Sonora Smart Dodd in Spokane, Washington on June 19, 1910. She wanted to honor her widowed father William Smart, a Civil War veteran who raised his six children.
- President Calvin Coolidge, in 1924, supported the idea of a national Father’s Day. Then in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father’s Day.
- President Nixon signed the law which finally made it permanent in 1972.
- The rose is the official flower for Father’s Day. I remember as a child the custom of wearing a red rose signified your father was living. While a white represents a deceased father. I hope you vintage photos of my parents.
My parents and their friends, partying again in the 1950s.
Father’s Day is the perfect day to honor thy father. It’s a time to express gratitude and thankfulness to fathers for what they do everyday. Fathers do make a difference in being involved in the lives of their children. I congratulate the divorced father’s that still make time for their children.
Atlantic City Boardwalk, August 1963 I am fortunate to have not just my Dad but my Mom and my grandparents who influenced my positive growth and development. My parents very existence today reinforces all the discipline instilled early in my life. To my Dad, I sat thank you for the endless trips to the Philadelphia Zoo, walks to the playgrounds, the ice skating every winter, trips to Atlantic City every summer and all my fancy dresses that you shopped for! I appreciate all your hard work over the years.
Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s and to the single moms doing double-duty! Have a fabulous week!
