Father’s Day and Families
Dear Friends in Christ Jesus our Lord:
Our homes are for us throughout life safe and secure areas where we can escape the stresses and struggles of life in this world for moments of rest and relaxation. They are also areas where we learn to deal with the things of this world, where faith is shared and nurtured, and parents share their love and actions of care and concern for their children. The Apostle Paul writes to the Ephesians and expresses his concern and his guidance for families in the following words recorded in the sixth chapter:
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ – which is the first commandment with a promise – ‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy a long life on the earth'”
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:1-4 NIV)
Those words came to mind as I read a prayer that was a part of my devotional resources recently. While the prayer speaks of the entry to a house, and may be understood to be reflecting upon the HOUSE OF GOD, I think it can be legitimately applied also to our individual homes. Wouldn’t it be great of the petitions of this prayer could be properly applied to each of our homes as we approach Father’s Day this year!
A PRAYER BY THOMAS KEN (1637-1711)
O God, make the door of this house wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship, and a heavenly Father’s care; and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride, and hate.
Make its threshold smooth enough to be no stumbling-block to children, nor to straying feet, but rugged enough to turn back the tempter’s power.
Make it a gateway to thine eternal kingdom. AMEN.
May we truly celebrate the love of Christian homes this week and always.
Pastor Don