Father’s Day 2024
To the fathers and families of UTMC,
Let’s begin with the most important thing! God is not a distant master or unapproachable king, but our Heavenly Father who dearly loves his children.
As such, he has provided us all with the ultimate pattern of love to show to those we care for. God, after all, is the one who made us, but also adopted us, and searches compassionately for the lost ones. All of these are powerful examples to men today.
Men, if you are the father of biological children, you have an incredible gift entrusted to you. Pour out yourselves for their sake. Love sacrificially, graciously, and earnestly.
If you have had the opportunity to adopt children, or to bring them into your life in a special and intentional way, don’t prize this gift any less. They are entrusted to you and God has given you the same calling to love them sacrificially and whole-heartedly.
Men, if you have children you care for, teach, or guide, you have an immensely important role in these young lives, and very likely God has given you opportunities to walk alongside these young ones that no one else has. They look up to you for strength, grace, and instruction. These callings are equally gracious gifts from God and require our whole hearts to be poured out in prayer and service for these young ones.
These great opportunities also come with great heartaches sometimes, and the loss of a little one, or a broken relationship can tear you apart. Don’t lose hope. God is the one who can rebuild you.
To all of you, your relationship to your father may not always been what it should have been. Not all fathers are the men of character we need them to be and this has deep and lasting effects on us. We lament this with you.
Some of you have not had your father there with you due to a tragic loss. You know the deep pain of loss, especially when it comes in the younger and formative years of our lives. The loss of a father at any age is hard.
Some of you know the pain of broken relationships with your father, and no matter how it started or where it has come to now, it is a burden. Remember, God does not leave us to carry our burdens alone. He himself has come alongside you and walks with you. He is never far from you.
No matter what your Father’s Day story, we pray that today with your family you would experience joy, healing, grace, and the deep goodness of our Heavenly Father who never leaves us or forsakes us.
God bless you all!
Pastor Nate and your UTMC Family