Today is Father’s Day! Growing up Father’s Day was not near as big of a deal as Mother’s Day. It seemed like you could skip over Father’s Day, but if you forgot to honor your mother on her special day—it was like punching an 800 pound gorilla in the face. Both will leave you regretting your decision. Hell hath no furry than a mother who has been scorned on Mother’s Day.

A few days ago my wife asked me what I wanted to do for Father’s Day, and to be honest I did not know. Some dads just want to relax, others want a nap, some want to do something active and others, like me, just want one thing: for my family to spend one day happy and content.

Here is what I know about Dads. We work. That is all we do. Our whole identity is wrapped up in what we do from 9-5 everyday. Sometimes we see the results of our labor, but oftentimes we do not.

When we get home from working, we want one thing: to know that our labor is not in vain. To know that those benefiting from our daily grind appreciate the effort and are happier and better people because of our labor. It’s amazing how a simple smile can reenergize a worn out man!

Our father in heaven also wants what is best for his children. Check out this passage from Matthew chapter 7.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil (comparatively speaking) know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”- Matthew 7:7–11

The imagery here makes me laugh. It is certainly hyperbolic. I mean could you imagine your son trying to take a bite out of a rock or think he was eating orange roughy when it is actually a slithering copperhead ready to strike! A bad father would not even allow such a thing. However, God who is the essence of good, is oftentimes questioned for not working hard enough on our behalf. As a father, I know I delight in my children’s happiness and contented spirit… I’m sure God delights in us in the same way.