The following is not written only for those who had/have great Fathers or superb 'Father figures', because no matter how terrific or not, we all share the love, the support, and the constant care of our Father in Heaven.  Also, if YOU are a Father   or a 'Father figure', hats off to you, Sir !!!

Although skeptics have said for decades that 'Mother's Day' was contrived by either the Florist industry or Hallmark, I've always thought is was a much needed 'holiday' for women around the world.  I found the following especially interesting because my Daddy was born in 1909 - an appropriate year for the 'first idea of a Father's Day' conception.  A better 'Daddy' never lived on this earth.  Also, I'd like to applaud my hubby, the phenomenal Father of my sons.                                           

Father's Day

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Washington, first proposed the idea of a father's day in 1909. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who was raising six children on a farm by himself. The first Father's Day celebration occurred on June 19, 1910, because it was the month of Smart's birth.

In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation designating the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. President Richard M. Nixon signed the public law that made Father's Day permanent in 1972.

Father's Day has become a day to honor your father, but also a day to honor all men who act as father figures, including uncles, stepfathers, brothers, and grandfathers.

Also, remember to Honor our Heavenly Father who always watches over us.  

 2 Corinthians 1:2 - "May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace."

Hope you have an amazing weekend.  Maggie
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Father's Day Devotional

My Father's Eyes

By Cathy Irvin
CBN Staff Writer

CBN.com -- Father’s day brought up some memories for me this year since my father has been deceased for a long time.  

I hesitated to speak on this subject because I do not have the fondest recollections of my father. Yet, as a Christian I have forgiven him for his neglect, and have realized how he suffered much torment as a nonbeliever and as an alcoholic.

I forgave him long, long ago. He probably did the best he could.  I pray for those who either have lost their father through death, divorce or perhaps some type of abuse or neglect.

I do know today at this moment that I have the best Father, one who looks out for my good. He longs to bless all of us in special ways. We need to really get to know Him because He wants to guide our lives.

When we learn about His love and goodness, our grief suffered by loss, and all the sorrows of the past will soon fade away.    

When I look at others I try to see them through my heavenly Father’s eyes. His eyes are so kind and full of compassion.  

As His daughter, I have inherited those same eyes. I will continue to help people see that He wants to be a father to the fatherless, and even though I haven’t celebrated Fathers Day for so many years, I can celebrate my heavenly Father's love this year.

Every day, I try to share this message with others who may be without an earthly father or those who do not have many fond memories of their father.

 When I look at my son, I see so many of the qualities of a great dad. He plays with his niece and nephew, and dearly loves those children.  When he hands his niece a chocolate pudding (that is almost a given whenever she comes to stay with us) her face lights up. It's always the little things that make her smile, and my son loves to give these simple gifts to her.  

Matthew 7:11 promises, 

"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!"

Our Father God has gifts and blessings He wants to give us. Sometimes He gives us what we ask  for, and other times He just blesses us with the unexpected.  The Bible tells us that He loads us daily with His benefits.  

Psalm 68:19 says,  

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation." 

We need to realize that He can make up for anything we lack from our past.  If you have a great dad let him know how much you appreciate him, and never take him for granted. Let  us also remember those great dads who have gone on to heaven. For the ones who feel as if their dad may have missed the mark, you are not fatherless, our father God is showering you daily with His love.

Romans 8:16 declares,

"The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children." 

_________________________________________________________________________