Sing to God, sing in praise of His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds ; rejoice before Him—His name is the LORD. A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. Psalm 68:4-5
I recently read the account of Gertrude Ederle who was the first woman to successfully swim the English channel at 19 years old. As the story is told, Gertrude had won a gold medal in the 1924 Paris Olympics. The next year she made her first attempt to swim the English Channel. Her coach had attempted the same feat unsuccessfully 22 times, and he eventually "rescued" Gertrude from the water fearing she was drowning. The boat following along side her was filled with reporters who were overjoyed to record her failure.
The following year, Gertrude made a second attempt with a few modifications to her previous plan. First, she replaced the former coach with a successful channel swimmer, William Burgess. Secondly, the tug boat would contain her father and sister who encouraged her to finish by cheering and reading telegrams from supporters. Her father also reminded her that the promise of a new sports car was only hers if she completed what she had started. This time Gertrude was successful partly because her coach and her father believed in her, and the encouragement to persevere.
Gertrude's father demonstrated his love and support while at her side cheering as she swam the cold channel that August day. Our Holy Father God, and all of heaven with Him, continuously urge us on and watch in anticipation as we journey the path before us. Our children are also watching. We are the demonstration of Yahweh's love for His children. When our children observe genuine faith exercised as we encounter struggles and hardships, they will learn to trust Jehovah in their lives. As we teach how the LORD rescues and strengthens us to overcome obstacles, our children will walk, swim and run in faith for themselves to successfully fulfill the plans He has set for them.
I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Acts 20:24
On this Father's Day let us celebrate our earthly fathers while we sing praises to our Heavenly Father who continuously provides all we need to finish the race. Many of us are blessed with wonderful fathers who have loved us since birth. If not, our Heavenly father promises to be the perfect Father to the fatherless. Although we may feel tired and alone in a cold channel swimming against the current, our Heavenly Father is beside us to cheer as we accomplish what no one else has done. Some times the tasks seem impossible, and we want to crawl back in the boat, but Our God, the LORD Most High is continuously equipping us to finish. May our faith be strengthened in order to succeed in the plans He has for us.
Holy, perfect Father God, You promised in Jeremiah that the plans for me are to prosper me through Your goodness, providing hope and a future for those who follow after You. Remind me of your lovingkindness, and help me demonstrate a genuine faith walk to my children, so they will follow hard after You. Happy Father's Day, O LORD, I will sing praises to Your Holy Name. Amen