If you grew up in the 60s or 70s, you will remember the shows like Father Knows Best, Leave it to Beaver, Ozzie and Harriet, and many more. The men in those TV shows were strong father figures. I certainly cannot forget to mention Happy Days or Little House on the Prairie with Pa Ingalls, where dads were respected for their wise advice and wisdom.

There were shows like Andy Griffith, and Danny Tanner on Full House represented the single dad. There was no problem they couldn’t solve with a "very special talk." Many fathers today have fallen into that single dad situation, raising their kids for one reason or another. They have risen to the occasion while holding down a full-time job.

Then there were shows like The Brady Bunch with Mike Brady. The Brady Bunch represented a newly integrated family of six kids. He had three boys and Mrs. Brady had three girls from previous marriages, and they made it work. Mike Brady was still the respected father in the home with wise advice and encouragement for the boys as well as the girls. Many families fall into that category as they strive to bring two different families together. 

I think of my oldest son, David, who has always been there for his daughter Brittaney and son Zandar. David has spent a lot of time taking them to their various activities, while working a full time job. Thankfully he has shared custody with their mother who helps, but it still requires a lot of his time and sacrifice. I am often inspired watching David because of his devotion to his children.  

You will find very few sitcoms today showing a family in which the father in the home is respected, but Blue Bloods is the exception. In Blue Bloods, Commissioner Frank Reagan, the father, sitting at the head of the table, while the grandfather, his dad, sits at the other end of the family table. It is clear that they respect their dad by always asking him for his wise advice. Most shows today are like the cartoon The Simpsons that downgrades the dad and plays him as stupid

How does God look at dads? He starts off by commanding us in one of the Ten Commandments to “honor our fathers and our mothers so that our life will be long upon the land” (Exodus 20:12). This is to be done not just once a year when it falls on Father’s Day but every day! The apostle Paul states, "'Honor your father and mother,' which is the first commandment with a promise" (Ephesians 6:2). The first commandment with a promise: if you honor them, your life will be long upon the land! God takes this commandment very seriously. So how can you honor you dad?

1. Be respectful. You may not always agree, but always be respectful.

2. Say thanks and say it often for all his sacrifice. Don’t take the things for granted that he does for you.

3. Ask his advice. He has been there and with years of experience to share with you.

4. Show him you appreciate him by the way you live.  Do not shame his name. Do this by living his values.

5. Never forget to acknowledge your dad in your own achievements.

6. Remember your dad is not perfect, nor are you!

7. Honor your Father in Heaven first, and then all of the above will come easier for you.

While I do understand that some have had a horrible father, as I did, if you are in that group and cannot relate, we can still show honor to the greatest Father of all of us, our Father in Heaven. This is written to the people who have a father who is working hard to be a loving, hardworking dad.

So happy Father Day to all you dads out there! Thank you for all you do. God notices. And take the time to listen to this wonderful song, “My Dad” sung by Paul Peterson to his show dad on The Donna Reed show.