A Legacy of
Grace and Godly Love
Every
June, we pause to celebrate Father’s Day, but few know it began with a
daughter’s deep gratitude. In 1910, a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd (1882-1978)
from Washington State wanted to honour her dad, William Jackson Smart. William
was a brave Civil War veteran who became a single parent when his wife died
during childbirth. Left with six children, he raised Sonora and her five
brothers with incredible tenderness and sacrifice on a remote farm. Because of
his selfless care, Sonora petitioned local churches and government officials to
establish a special day for dads. Thanks to her efforts, the world’s first
Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, though today we mark it on the
third Sunday of June, which falls on June 21 this year. Its core message
remains simple yet profound: to recognize, appreciate, and say thank you for
the quiet sacrifices of fatherhood.
For
Christians, this day carries an even deeper spiritual weight. The Bible often
uses the beautiful imagery of a father to explain how God relates to us. In
Psalm 103:13, we are reminded that “as a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him”. Furthermore, scripture
guides earthly fathers on how to lead their families. Proverbs 22:6 encourages
them to “start children off on the way they should go,” while Ephesians 6:4
cautions fathers not to exasperate their children, but instead to bring them up
in the training and instruction of the Lord. These verses remind us that a
father’s role is not just about providing food and shelter, but about anchoring
a child’s heart in love, patience, and faith.
However,
we know that this Sunday can be a very heavy day for many people. The reality
of our broken world means that not everyone has a happy story to share. You
might be grieving a dad who has passed away, or perhaps you are aching over a
strained or absent relationship. For others, the deep desire to become a father
hasn’t yet been realized. If you find yourself in a place of ache rather than
celebration today, please know that your feelings are entirely valid.
Christianity offers a beautiful comfort here: even when earthly relationships
fail or fade, Psalm 68:5 promises that God is “a father to the fatherless”. You
are never truly orphaned or forgotten; you have a perfect Heavenly Father who
holds you close in your pain.
In our
fast-paced, modern world, celebrating fatherhood is more important than ever.
We live in a culture that often downplays the value of a stable, supportive
family structure, yet a father’s positive presence shapes a child’s confidence
and emotional well-being for life. For the Christian community, this day is a
vital reminder to support the men around us. Fatherhood is a high calling, and
dads need our prayers, encouragement, and grace. We must build communities
where fathers are equipped to lead with humility, apologize when they mess up,
and reflect Christ’s unconditional love to the next generation.
Father’s
Day invites us to look beyond our human imperfections and gaze at the grander
picture of divine love. Whether you are blessed with a wonderful dad, stepping
into the shoes of a father figure, or navigating a season of loss, this day
belongs to you. Let us use this Sunday to express genuine gratitude to the men
who have poured into our lives, while resting securely in the embrace of a
Heavenly Father whose love never expires, never walks away, and never fails.
Happy
Father's Day! May God Bless, Protect, and Strengthen All Our Fathers.
~ TBCD NEWSLETTER | FATHER’S DAY [21.06.2026]
***
Good Fathers in the Bible
A father has a special place in the family. He is
called to love, guide, protect, and teach his children. The Bible gives us many
examples of good fathers who obeyed God and led their families in the right
way. Their lives teach us valuable lessons today.
One of the best examples from the Old Testament is
Abraham. God called Abraham to leave his home and go to a land that He would
show him. Abraham obeyed even though he did not know where he was going. He
trusted God completely. Abraham was also a loving father to his son Isaac. When
God tested him and asked him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, Abraham obeyed
because he believed that God knew what was best. God stopped him and blessed
him for his faithfulness.
The quality we see in Abraham is faith and
obedience. He trusted God in difficult situations. From Abraham, we learn that
fathers should trust God and lead their families by faith.
Another good father is Job. Job was a man who loved
God and lived a righteous life. The Bible says that he often prayed for his
children and offered sacrifices on their behalf. He cared deeply about their
spiritual lives. Even when he lost everything, Job remained faithful to God.
Job's quality was spiritual concern for his family.
He prayed for his children and wanted them to walk with God. Fathers today can
learn to pray regularly for their children and guide them in spiritual matters.
We can also learn from Jacob. Although Jacob made
mistakes, he loved his family and worked hard for them. He spent many years
serving to provide for his household. Before his death, he gathered his
children together and blessed them. He gave them guidance for the future.
Jacob showed love, commitment, and care for his
family. Fathers can learn to encourage their children and leave them wise
advice for life.
In the New Testament, one good example is Zechariah,
the father of John the Baptist. An angel told him that he and his wife would
have a son in their old age. At first he doubted, but later he accepted God’s
plan. When the child was born, Zechariah obeyed God’s instruction and named him
John. He praised God and spoke words of blessing over his son.
Zechariah’s quality was humility and obedience. He learned
to trust God's word. Fathers can learn to accept God’s plans even when they
seem impossible.
Another wonderful example is Joseph, the earthly
father of Jesus. Joseph was a righteous man. When he learned that Mary was
expecting a child through the Holy Spirit, he obeyed God’s message and took her
as his wife. Later, God warned him in a dream to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt
for safety. Joseph immediately obeyed and protected his family.
Joseph showed responsibility, courage, and
obedience. He cared for Jesus and Mary and did what God asked him to do.
Fathers today can learn to protect their families and follow God’s guidance
without delay.
These fathers were not perfect men, but they loved
God and tried to obey Him. Abraham taught faith, Job taught prayer, Jacob
taught family care, Zechariah taught humility, and Joseph taught
responsibility. Their examples remind us that a good father is not measured by
wealth or success but by his relationship with God and his care for his family.
As we study their lives, we learn that fathers
should trust God, pray for their children, lead with love, and obey God’s word.
When fathers follow these biblical examples, they become a blessing to their
families and to future generations.
~ TBCD NEWSLETTER | FATHER’S DAY [21.06.2026]