The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son or daughter will be glad. (Proverbs 23:24)

              As we celebrate Father’s Day this coming Sunday, perhaps it would be worthwhile to remember why.

              Sonora Smart Dodd is often given credit for the holiday. Her own father was a Civil War veteran who raised six children alone after their mother died in childbirth. The first Father’s Day was held on June 19, 1909. The holiday caught on slowly, with some resistance by those who even early on thought it was a “commercial gimmick,” as some still do today. In 1972, Father’s Day became an official national holiday and today is celebrated around the world (some Roman Catholic countries celebrate Father’s Day on March 19, the feast day of St. Joseph). *

              The Bible gives us some fatherly examples. We have the trust of Abraham, great patriarch of Israel, and the faithfulness of Joseph, the father of Jesus. And on the other side, Jacob, the father of another Joseph and his 11 brothers, teaches fathers the danger of showing favoritism of one child over another.

              An old friend on Facebook recently posted about a serious illness facing his son. You could feel the pain and worry as he described the situation. As a father, and any parent really, the truth is that there is no pain that is worse than seeing your own child in pain.

              We can acknowledge that not all fathers are perfect. Again, see Jacob. But that is not why I believe the Proverb quoted above is wrong. Or at least it doesn’t go far enough. Sure, we want our children to be “righteous” and “wise,” but the fact is that we will rejoice and be glad in them regardless, and we will love them forever, no matter what.

              To all the fathers and father-figures, thank you. That mug your child gave you that says, “World’s Greatest Dad” was made just for you! Happy Father’s Day.

* Background on Father’s Day is from britannica.com