Father’s Day is usually a holiday of celebration and joy for most people, but it can be a day of sadness and grief for others. While most are celebrating and spending time with families, you or someone you know could possibly be filled with emptiness, pain, or even anger.
Reasons for Sadness or Grief on Father’s Day
- You’ve recently lost your Dad
- You don’t feel your dad deserves celebrating
- You’re a single mother and the father of your children is absent in their lives’
- You’re a father who has lost a child
- Some other loss occurred during this time of year
Each of these reasons is painful and can cast a shadow on what should be a happy time. How can joy be found in these circumstances? Focusing on what’s missing or lacking is our human tendency. To move away from this we must focus on a vital, loving relationship that’s in our lives, one that can never be taken away. God, our Father, specializes in addressing the gaps in our hearts. He wants to be the Rock we establish our lives on so that no earthly disappointment can steal our joy. He asks us to lean on Him and to “fall into” His greatness instead of focusing on our pain and loss. God promises us that one day He will make right ALL the wrongs ever done to us! (Zephaniah 3:19)
To truly know the love of our Heavenly Father is greater than any earthly affection, and helps us overcome wrongs and loss we’ve experienced. He tells us in the Bible that He will never leave you or forsake you, and is with you always. In fact, He knows each tear you’ve shed, has all the days of your life written in His book and knows the number of hairs on your head. He sees you now, and has cared for you since before you were born. Although He’s invisible to the physical eye, He is more real than anything seen.
Do you want to know more about this Father? You can visit your local church. Do you want to know more about how to focus your thoughts on positive things for Father’s Day?
Here are some ideas:
- Volunteer at a hospital or nursing home and help lift the spirits of someone who might also be feeling down.
- Write your father a letter or card, even though they are no longer with you.
- Talk to a friend or family member you trust to share your feelings with about this day.
- Plant a tree in your father’s memory.
- Do something you enjoy! Whether it’s gardening or playing cards with your friends, engage in an activity that makes you happy.
- Remember that you are a parent no matter if your children live many miles away or have passed away. Once a parent, always a parent.
- Give back to the community. Contributing to your community is a rewarding and fun way to stay active on Father’s Day.
- Plan out your day in advance. Make plans to visit with a friend or to go see a movie. Having a plan will help you manage your expectations of the day.
~Karen Gibbons, Director of Programs