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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Richard Reddie from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland

Good Morning!

This Sunday – 18 June – is Father’s Day. My dad, who will be 90, a few days after Fathers’ Day, currently lives in Jamaica. Unlike Mothering Sunday which is marked in March in the UK, and May in Jamaica; Father’s Day is on the same day in both countries. When my mother was alive, I always forgot about the different dates for Mothering Sunday. So when I then called her in Jamaica to wish her ‘Happy Mother’s Day’, she would thank me for the card, but then remind me of the date difference.

When my parents lived in this country, I always looked forward to the years when my dad’s birthday, which is the 21st June, coincided with Father’s Day, as it meant that I could buy one card or present for the two occasions. I remember my dad never complaining about my frugality, I think the most important thing for him was that I remembered.

At the moment, all the shops are selling a whole range of weird and wonderful gifts for Fathers’ Day, and it appears that we prove how much we love or value our fathers by spending lots of money on them. And while we may all be familiar with the maxim ‘It’s the thought that counts’, that phrase is often said when a person receives a present or gift that is deemed substandard or inappropriate.

As I am now a father myself, I’ll be taking a leaf out of my dad’s book for Fathers’ Day. I’ll be more than happy to receive a card or even a phone call from my son. For me, it is the thought that counts!

Gracious Lord, I thank you for special days and special people. May all important anniversaries and occasions be used to remember and affirm those individuals who have helped to shape our lives, thanking them for their vision, wisdom, courage and love.

Amen.