Fathers and Families

Like other fathers across the United States, I enjoyed being honored by my family again this year on Father’s Day. While my cynical side likes to take jabs at “Hallmark holidays,” I admit that I look forward to the special attention of this day. This year, Father’s Day was especially great since it arrived just a couple weeks after the wedding of our daughter and I’m thrilled to be a father-in-law for the first time! I’m also blessed that my own father is still alive and doing well. I called him on Father’s Day at his home in North Carolina. He’s 91 years old and refuses to resort to hearing aids, so our conversation was brief (and loud!). Just long enough to get a health update and let him know that we love him.

Those of us who are blessed with the God-given privilege of being a father know that it’s an awesome gift and we also know that fatherhood carries with it awesome responsibilities. Fortunately, there are millions of wonderful, fathers who love, care for, and serve as positive role models for their children. I’m blessed to have such a father in my life. Unfortunately, though, there are also far too many dads who, for whatever reasons, have not been present in the lives of their children, have not been a significant caregiver or provider, or have behaved in ways that have had a damaging impact on their family’s wellness.

There are many varieties of family units these days. They all exist to provide love, care and support for adults and children of all ages. The family is the basic unit of caring community in every culture. And, for those of us who recognize God’s creative power, caring for family is our way of responding to and sharing the story of God’s love for us.

At Wheat Ridge Ministries, we are blessed to know and support leaders and organizations dedicated to helping families be and become healthy and whole, no matter what shape or makeup they take. Our website directory shares the wide variety of programs geared to families. It’s amazing to see the church at work through such a wide range of projects and initiatives.

Praise God for the gift of families and for those who help families be all that God created them to be!