FATHERS' DAY

(MY FATHERS' DAY MESSAGE AT SUNRISE MEMORY CARE IN ABINGTON)

I asked to speak today here at Sunrise because today means a lot to me. My father has been gone from this earth for over 30 years. I still remember where I was when the news came – I was in a closed off attic cavity in South Philly where I was checking dimensions in an Augustinian personal care facility I was designing the renovations for – I had to squeeze through a 12” opening and though I was probably 20 pounds lighter then, it was still very tough getting in and out. I had to breathe in to reduce my belly enough to pass through the opening and got very dirty in the process. 

 

I had been closer to my mother, but she passed on several years before my father. Both my parents encouraged reading and thinking deeply about things. They let me go to the college of my choice and sacrificed deeply so I had no college loans when I graduated. That enabled me to be a VISTA volunteer to serve the poor for 2 ½ years after college with no financial hurdles to jump over.  I had grown my hair long and though my father did not like that, he used to wash it for me when I visited him  - love despite disagreements is a powerful tool for fathers to have and I never forgot that. For years after he passed, I found myself sometimes picking up the phone and dialing my father’s phone number to talk to him only to realize there was no way to communicate any longer. In time, that passed, but I am glad it was that way and not like some who want to forget their father or are only interested in knowing what was in his will to benefit them.

 

Unlike some boys – no, to be honest, I must say many boys – I had an earthly father who loved me, provided for me, and set a tone in our home to facilitate my relationship with God. I never even questioned going to church even though we typically had four to five church events every Sunday. He did not simply tell me to memorize scripture – he did it himself – as an adult, the program required 7 verses a week – for us kids it was 12 verses a week – after all, kids’ minds are usually better able to memorize things!  The same kids also remember almost every hurt, but also more blessings than you may imagine.

 

However, no earthly father is enough. They may do you a whole lot of good, but they are human and fail as well. They may be too passive and not act when they need to on your behalf. They may not demonstrate all the love for your mother you know she deserves. They also may act in ways that are not helpful. They may not share their own trials with you or how they overcame in life. Their love may also be inconsistent, and they may be partial toward one child over another which can be so challenging. However, they can sometimes understand where they fall short and let other men into your life – my Dad was not athletic – he was rated 4F by the draft board and could not serve in WW2. My very athletic uncle had a collection of trophies and took me under his wing and taught me to play ball and I got to be pretty good at it. My parents also encouraged me to join the Christian Service Brigade which I did and completed the entire program and received their highest honor, being named a Herald of Christ. I am so grateful.

 

I was so glad to also have had a second Father in my life – an even better one with none of the failings even the best human fathers have. That happened over 70 years ago for me, so for basically almost my entire life I have had a perfect Father to talk to – as a child, a teen, AND as an adult. He filled any gaps of fathering I needed and those exist for all of us no matter how wonderful a father we may have. My Heavenly Father always had time for me. He never rushed me. He guided me in decisions big and small. He encouraged me. And yes, He also chastised me. Whom He loves, He chastens. All true sons of our God are scourged. The clearest evidence that God is NOT your father is if He NEVER disciplines you. God calls us the B-word and not sons when that is the case. The only person who never had to be chastised by God was Jesus, as He was perfect, and God called him his beloved Son in whom he was well pleased.

 

I am grateful today as I remember my own earthly father, though he is no longer present here with us, but I am even more grateful for my God and Father, who has surpassed my wildest expectations. I love Him dearly. I would suppose that few if any of you except the staff here still have a living earthly father, or a father you are still in communication with, but whether you do or whether you don’t, I want you to get to know my Heavenly Father much better. I preached at the funeral of the father of one of our radio actors. His whole life seemed dedicated to making others miserable. He had no use for God, but in his old age he did what I am going to invite you to do in just a moment. Within two weeks of knowing God as His Father, he had passed on.  Not a lot of time to enjoy the Lord, but our Father knows best. I am sure none of you EVER did any of the atrocities that he committed, but all of us have still fallen short. None of us has been as righteous as Christ. That is why we have to ask Him to give us His goodness and show us His mercy. God alone has a large enough heart and the infinite capabilities to be a true Father to everyone in the world, and He wants TODAY to be the Best Father to you that you could ever imagine. If you want to know Him better or know Him for the very first time, TODAY is the day of salvation. If you will, hear His voice. He is not willing that any person, including those gathered here today, should perish but that all should come to repentance and enter His eternal kingdom for the rest of their lives here and then for all eternity in a much better home.  Any of us here from Shalom would be honored to assist you in receiving the free gift of salvation and then turning your life over to Him in order to fully enjoy that relationship, not only here at Sunrise, but for all eternity.

May God bless you.