Today we gather to celebrate all the fathers’ who have graced our lives.  Father’s Day was started to honor a special parent. William Jackson Smart was a civil war veteran who made great sacrifices to raise one daughter and five sons alone because his wife had died during the birth of the daughter.  He gave himself totally to his children being both mother and father. His daughter, Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd decided there should be an observance for fathers.’ She worked for her entire lifetime to make that happen, but during her lifetime it was just not meant to be. 

Even though President Woodrow Wilson thought it should become a national holiday, in 1914, when Father’s Day was presented to the all-male congress, they thought it would be a self-congratulatory pat on the back for men, so they didn’t pass it.  It wasn’t until 1972, 62 years later, that Richard Nixon signed it into law.  Until that time, it was celebrated, but not a National Day of Celebration. Today as we celebrate our earthly father and give thanks for the gift known as family, we are reminded of our divine heritage, and the "Divine Father" that gives life and provides for us all.    


I invite you to close your eyes and enter into a time of prayer and yearning to serve the eternal, Fathering Source of all life. Feel the meditation music moving in and through you helping you to create a sacred environment of peace that unites you in prayer with everyone in this room.

Now feel God’s peace, beauty, and love stretching beyond this room until it surrounds the earth and unites your heart with all the hearts yearning and praying that all the world’s children will grow up knowing only acceptance, love, and the support of the entire family of humankind. I invite you to dedicate your heart this Father’s Day to the path of love and forgiveness; that is the needed foundation we must create for one peaceful world to come into being for all. (pause)

And now in the silence of prayer, I invite you to bless your own father, wherever he may be, knowing that there is no time or space in prayer. (pause)

Jesus once said to his earthly parents, “I must be about my Father’s business.”  I invite you to accept these next words of prayer as your Divine Father’s gift to you today and your gift to share with a weary world longing for the peace and love you bring. As I speak, imagine that God is whispering them into your ear and writing them on your heart for you to carry wherever you go in the world.

“My dear child, remember, your presence is a present to the world. 

You are unique and one of a kind.  Your life can be whatever you want it to be.
Take the days of your life just one at a time. 

Count your blessings, not your troubles and you will make it through whatever comes along. 

Within you are so many answers; understand, have courage, be strong.

Don’t put limits on yourself. So many dreams are waiting to be realized. 

Decisions are too important to leave to chance.  Reach for your peak, your goal, and your prize.

Remember, nothing wastes more energy than worrying.  The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets. 

Don’t take things too seriously. 
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.  

Remember, a little love goes a long way; a lot of love goes on forever and friendship is always a wise investment. Life’s treasures are people…together.  

Realize that it’s never too late. 

Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way. 

Have health, hope and happiness. 

Take the time to wish upon a star.  And don’t ever forget, even for a minute how very special you are, you are my child and I love you. You are my blessing to the world. 

And now as you prepare to return your attention to this time and place take a moment and give thanks for this special Father’s Day blessing.   Amen.