Happy Father's Day in Heaven

Another Father’s Day approaching,

Twenty three since you’ve been gone,

So many things have happened,

Some right and many wrong.

You died ‘fore nine-eleven,

I’m glad you didn’t see,

The murder of the thousands,

And what after came to be.

Wars and death and horror,

Glad you didn’t have to bear,

I’m sure it would remind you,

Of war when you were there.

Laura drowned eight years ago,

Your little girl, it’s true,

And that is just the reason,

She is there with you.

Momma died in twenty-twenty,

To join you in the sky,

She always asked about you,

It sometimes made me cry.

Linwood is successful,

Just the way you taught,

Owns a place outside Montgomery,

That he and his wife bought.

We both have our grandchildren,

They’re beautiful, you know,

We’ve told them all about you,

The man you were and so,

It might not surprise you,

That I’m a Texan now,

Married a Texas beauty,

God helped me find somehow.

And we have a few cattle,

And run some horses, too,

Out here in Parker County,

With lots of work to do.

And I’ve got old with whiskers,

You’d probably say to cut,

But maybe you would like ‘em,

I’ll keep my old mouth shut.

And Dad we think about you,

And most every single day,

We recall a memory,

What you’d do or always say.

You took us to the Lord’s house,

We weren’t allowed to miss,

You taught us a work ethic,

We’re thankful for all this.

Happy Father’s Day in heaven,

Your sons want you to know,

We’re glad you were our Daddy,

And we still love you so.

“Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:3, NAS)

Honoring your father and mother is included in the ten commandments. Why is this so important? Because God made male and female in His image and ordained their union as co-creators of human life. People certainly don’t always get it right, but this is what the honor is about- the purpose and plan of God. When we dishonor or disregard or redefine what God says is important we do so at our own peril. Maybe your parents were not worthy of your honor. It doesn’t matter. The command was not to honor them if they deserve it. It simply says to do it, and if you do, you will be blessed. The benefit is things will go well and you’ll live a long time. Let’s get it done, in Jesus’ name.

Lord, help us to honor our father and mother, in Jesus’ name.

My mother and dad, Deanie and Paul McClain (personal photo)