JUNE 2017
THE FOUR FATHERS
Posted by: District Elder James Griesbaum

 


Before we delve into our title let us take a quick look at the history of Father’s Day.  Father’s Day has its roots in Mother’s Day.  While Mother’s Day dates back to the 1860’s, Father’s Day was not recognized officially until World War II.  Fathers originally scoffed at the idea of being recognized and the war softened their stance.  This also led to the idea that Fathers may tend to be a little more stubborn than Mothers!  Ah, history!

Now let us understand our Four Fathers title.  How can we have Four Fathers?  It is easy when you stop to think about it.  Our first father we may think about would be our natural father (that’s one), let us jump very quickly to our Eternal Father, our heavenly Father (that’s two), now our third father is something we may not think of as a father, yet they are… our spiritual Fathers… who are encompassed in the Apostle Ministry.  Now we come to our fourth father.  Some may call them father-in-law, some may call them Uncle, some may call them a mentor, some may call them Coach.  Under all these names they fall under the banner Father because they are extremely special to us. 

Let us take a closer look at each group.

Our heavenly Father is there forever.  We tend to not think about Him first, yet we should.  In a recent service our Bishop Apfelbeck asked a great question:  Are we natural beings leading a spiritual life, or, spiritual beings leading a natural life?  The answer is we are spiritual beings first!  We may be blessed to be on the earth for 100 years, but, what is that in comparison to forever?  Our heavenly Father loves us beyond any love we can understand; what Father would let His Son die for such a cause?

Let us move to our natural Fathers.  Many of us are blessed with absolutely great Fathers.  However, many of us are challenged with our natural Fathers.  It is here where I want to share a word of advice given to me a long time ago.  Your Father is your Father.  Honor him for that.  Pray for him.  You are here because of him.  Take this Father’s Day to remember him.

The Apostle Ministry encompasses the Fathers we have spiritually.  They have the task to raise us spiritually while we are on the face of this earth.  Do you pray for them the same way you pray for our heavenly Father’s help?  The same way you pray for your natural father?  Believe me, they need it!  They are human and try their best to lead us.  Because of their ministry they deal with so much that we could not fathom a “day in the life of”.  They are also our fathers.

Last and certainly not least are those in our life who we see as extended fathers.  Their impact on us is huge!  We also want to remember them.  Their wisdom, their care, their time with us is immeasurable.

So, Father’s Day is not just another day…. It’s a great day to celebrate with all your Father’s!

 

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