By Sister Tarpley, NDG Religion Editor
This coming Sunday, June 18, the third Sunday in June is Father’s Day; it is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. And, it is also Juneteenth weekend in Texas and other parts of the United States. Next week I will devote my column to the history of Juneteenth. I give thanks and praises to our Heavenly Father, God for blessing my family because I believe that a family is life’s greatest blessing, setup and honored by God.
The idea of celebrating Father’s Day originated in the USA and has been officially celebrated here on the third Sunday in June since 1966, when it was put on the United State’s official calendar by President Lyndon Johnson. The exact origins of what we now know as Father’s Day are disputed, though we do know the movement for a day which celebrated fatherhood began roughly 100 years ago.
Many believe that Sonora Dodd, from Washington, came up with the idea after hearing a Mother’s Day sermon in 1910 and wondering, not unreasonably, why fathers did not have their own day too. Dodd and her siblings had been raised by their father as a single parent after their mother died in childbirth. The first such “Father’s Day” was held in Spokane in 1910, with a number of towns and cities across America later following suit.
Now, Father’s Day exists simply to remind everyone that dads are great. It doesn’t matter if they are birth fathers, step-fathers or a stand-in father, especially if they are God-fearing fathers.
Senator Margaret Chase Smith in 1957 wrote to Congress: “Either we honor both our parents, mother and father, or let us desist from honoring either one.” In 1972 it was made a permanent national holiday by President Richard Nixon.
A “father” is one that God ordained and honors. There are many “fathers” that are God-fearing and attempts to or tries to be the man that has compassion and humility. He is one that prays for his family, his pastor and church. He also prays for his friends, community, neighborhood, and workplace. A praying father loves his family unconditional and is a good man at home, in his community, at his workplace, in his church, and around his friends and neighbors at all times.
Some fathers that I celebrate and honor are my son, Jarrell Tarpley; my son-in-law, William (Bill) Lott; My godly friend, Eugene H. Tinner; my uncle, Charlie Baker and my brother-in-law, David Fielding. It is my belief that the “Secret to Happiness” for any father is: 1) Trusting God in the face of adversity. 2) Forgetting the unpleasant things that come into life and focusing on the good things.
1) Trusting God in the face of adversity. 2) Forgetting the unpleasant things that come into life and focusing on the good things.
2) Forgetting the unpleasant things that come into life and focusing on the good things.
3) Apologizing if he believes that he has offended someone because he has learned that a sincere apology is the superglue of life. 4) Willing to admit an error; and do his best to learn from them.
4) Willing to admit an error; and do his best to learn from them.
5) He is willing to listen to sound advice and ask God to help him make the right decision. 6) Keep his temper (God said to be yea angry and sin not.) 7) He will shoulder the blame.
6) Keep his temper (God said to be yea angry and sin not.) 7) He will shoulder the blame.
7) He will shoulder the blame.
8) Think first, pray and act accordingly. 9) He will put the needs of his family and others before his own. 10) He will pray without ceasing for family, friends, his church members, leaders of his church and leaders our country.
9) He will put the needs of his family and others before his own. 10) He will pray without ceasing for family, friends, his church members, leaders of his church and leaders our country.
10) He will pray without ceasing for family, friends, his church members, leaders of his church and leaders our country.
