WEB POSTED 07-06-2000

OUR FATHER

Just a few days ago, most of the people living in this country, as well as some others, were observing a holiday known as "FATHERS� DAY." The method of celebration, in some instances, was certain to make the fathers proud, while some celebrants were a disgrace to the honorable role of fatherhood. I am sure there are some who would argue that their father�s track record earned him whatever form the children�s celebration took. And I hope that any fathers or would-be fathers reading this would take a few moments to re-evaluate the role.

Any assessment of the duties of fatherhood must begin with God. The title of this article is the beginning of probably the most often repeated prayer in the English language, known popularly as "The Lord�s Prayer". This is no coincidence, but a sign to those who would practice fatherhood that they have a perfect example. The phrase "on Earth as it is in Heaven" is designed to make us understand that nothing of good is unattainable, if correctly pursued. The fact that this oft-repeated prayer begins by addressing the Supreme Being in this manner should alert us to the path we must tread and the steps we must take in order to be successful. Sadly, too many of us celebrate Fathers Day, as we do most holidays, in a manner that would make our fathers, other relatives and even our friends, ashamed to admit they know us. If we would just examine the word "holiday", seriously, we would see that it is merely a contracted version of the phrase "Holy Day". Knowing this, we should act accordingly.

First off, The Creator accepts responsibility for all that He creates. I doubt if there is anyone who would not agree that this is as it should be. No matter how we turn out, He never disclaims us. Punish us He will, if necessary, and we should follow His example. God accepts responsibility for making the devil. Those who have not studied and discovered this should ask themselves, if God did not make the devil, how does the devil exist? If he made himself, then that would make him independent of God, and possibly even His equal!

It is neither an accident nor a coincidence that those officers who are responsible for the operation of cities are called "City Fathers", even though some of them are mothers (witness the growing numbers of women being elected to seats in city governments). They are all called "Fathers" because their role in running a city approximates the roles of fathers raising a family � provide, protect and develop. The vast majority of them did not build the city, and were not even present when the city was built. But once they accept the responsibility for the welfare of the city, then they are correctly dubbed "City Fathers."

The term "father" is also used to describe something that is the most excellent among its kind, thus, the original inhabitants of this continent referred to the Mississippi River as "The Father of Waters". The title always indicates great responsibility, as well as the ability to handle the responsibility. So, George Washington is dubbed "The Father of our Country", Hippocrates is called "The Father of Medicine" and the Devil is called (in the Bible) "The Father of lies."

To all of us physical Fathers, it boils down to this: The role of a father can be reduced to one two-part description �PROVIDER and PROTECTOR.