If you are looking for a great Father’s Day gift; may I suggest THE GOSPEL HIDDEN IN GENESIS BOOK ONE OF TWO AND BOOK TWO OF TWO? This set of two books which can be read with or without each other is a great journey through the book of Genesis. It is a delightful gift that would please any Father. You can obtain each book by looking the title up on Amazon.com. HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

HONORING FATHERS IN THE HOME

The best way I know to turn a house into a happy home is to always remember to honor and respect the father and/or father’s who live, love and visit there.

THE HOME OF A GOOD FATHER

You can usually tell when you are entering the home of a good father.  There seems to be a certain peace there.  Most will probably feel a sense of harmony. You might feel as if you entered a safe haven on a stormy day. 

Things can sometimes still be a cluttered mess.  In spite of that fact, you will feel a certain charge in the atmosphere.  This will tell you that someone’s father lives and loves here.

I think the word I’m looking for is “secure.”  A loving father always brings a sense of security to his home and family. It is something that no one else can bring or imitate.  Only a father can do this.

COUNTING THE BLESSINGS OF FATHERHOOD

My very first experience of that feeling of security happened within the confines of my own home with my own Father. I always noticed when he walked into the door at the end of a hard day’s work.  The nature of the whole room changed.

You could feel the peace that he felt.  Probably it was because he had worked hard that day.  He had taken care of all of the many responsibilities that come with having a family.  Now he was happy.  He was home and content to retire to his own abode and spend time with his loved ones.

A storm could be brewing outside, or the world might seem to be ending to everyone else.  However, all of a sudden you would get this calm, level, centered peacefulness.  It was that secure feeling that only comes to a home where the man is the head of the house.  Everyone else appreciates that blessing instead of looking down on it or taking it for granted.

For the moment Dad is home.  All is right with the world.  I hope you and yours have known this same feeling.  This is something you have to KNOW and EXPERIENCE to fully appreciate.

THE STATUS OF FATHERHOOD ISN’T EASILY EARNED

Men have to earn this type of status.  It can’t be faked.  I’m sure it doesn’t come easy.  Some homes are just that blessed.  There are still happy homes where REAL Fathers live out their lives.  There are still real places where families flourish. My prayer is for every home in America to feel that special blessing.

Once again this year; I refuse to let Father’s Day be a downer for me.  I say this because my Father is no longer visible to us. His presence will always be with us though. The love he had for his family still lives on.  I know my Dad would not want me to be sad on this typically happy day. So I will continue to honor his memory by thinking of all the good Father’s Day celebrations that we’ve shared in the past.

Also; I will joyfully join in with all the other Father’s Day celebrations of the well-deserving Father’s that are still living and loving among us.  In a world that has basically lost the anchor of family; we can’t appreciate or value them enough.

Thanks again for all the great memories Dad! I hope I always told you in a million little ways just how much I will always love you. You definitely earned a place of honor within my heart.

LIVING THE TRADITIONS FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS

Now I have a whole wonderful bunch of close family and friends who are loving fathers.  It is time to celebrate them.

These great guys are living all around me.  They have become my focus each year.  These are now the reasons to celebrate the great God-given position of fatherhood.

Our family has been blessed with many awesome fathers.

WATCHING A HUSBAND REAP THE REWARDS OF BEING A GOOD FATHER

I’ve cherished the honor of being a small part of helping my husband be a good Father.  Also, I’ve adored the honor of watching my son-in-laws step into the same happy place of becoming loving fathers too.

Thank God; my husband’s actions and decisions have gone a long way toward setting the example of what a good father should do.  So have the examples of my Son-in-Law’s own Fathers.

I thank God everyday that the fathers of my grandchildren have been so fortunate.  They have so many good examples of mentors and role-models to follow in their lives.

It is a triple blessing when you think of all the grandfathers!

Some lucky families are fortunate enough to celebrate four generations of Fathers. We did that for many years. I hope this is never taken for granted. It carries a quiet and unspoken blessing for the whole family to enjoy.

Father’s day is a good day for counting all of those many blessings; both past, present and future.

BEGINNING THE CELEBRATION

What a wonderful way to officially begin the summer festivities. So let’s start with our Father’s Day celebration for this year.

  How will you and yours start this special occasion?  Every family seems to have their own cherished traditions.

I love to begin any special occasion by decorating the house in an honorable and festive way.

For many years, a patriotic feeling of red, white and blue has seemed appropriate.  That particular theme always gets applause on Father’s Day. Dad’s just seem to relate to it.  So I’ve used that theme over and over again at our house.

This type of décor also blends well with Memorial Day and Pentecost which happen right before Father’s Day.  It is helpful to know you can stretch this color theme into several weeks.

LOVING RED WHITE AND BLUE THEMES

The patriotic colors and accessories also blend well with summer beach themes.  Later, Independence Day celebrations work with these colors too.  So it is almost impossible not to go with the three colors favored by all of America.

I bring out the red, white and blue for Father’s Day.  Then it just feels like summer is officially beginning. This “beginning of summer” feeling adds even more celebratory atmosphere and fun to the day.  The red, white and blue accents all through the house will be great through Father’s Day. As a matter of fact; I often leave this same color scheme in place until after Independence Day has passed.

America’s colors are so flexible.  They blend with so many of our seasons. I love the bright cheerful look they present!

SURPRISES AROUND EVERY CORNER

Still – we will need and will be adding SOME changes.  There will be just a few little elements of surprise here and there that tell us this day is especially set aside to honor Dad.

Speaking of little surprises; I love Henri Nouwen’s way of welcoming a day into our lives. He says: “Each day holds a surprise, but only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us.”

So, if you find yourself to be like me, and your Father is physically missing from the day this year; take heart.  Let’s not miss the little surprises and blessings.  Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s own surprises, whether they come to us as sorrow or as joy. The blessings of today will open a new place in our hearts.  This is a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.

The traditional act of celebrating Father’s Day with family members and friends is certainly one way of bringing this type of celebration into our lives.

Father’s Day is simply a great time for remembering all the good times we’ve shared with our Fathers in the past.  Also it is a perfect time for beginning to look forward and to be thankful for the good things that are still ahead.  With the youngest generations, who are quickly taking their places in this busy and bustling world, it is a good time to anticipate a great future.

Time stands still for no one; so let’s get out there and keep moving in the new blessings of each moment.

DECORATING THE ENTRY WAY

At our house for Father’s Day, the decorating surprises start within the first steps into the house.  The red, white and blue banner on the door says it all; “Welcome to our home.”  This welcome will be there to greet all the many and varied Dads who enter our door during this time of thankfulness and celebration.

I’ve gathered some red, white and blue photo frames.  They hold photos of our fathers.  I’m going to put them on the couch table in the foyer/entry area.

Another treasure I found is this cute little red, white and blue fireplace screen.  It is made out of several bird houses all in a row. This little touch seems to give the fireplace more of a cheerful summer look.

THE IN SEASON LIFESTYLE FAMILY TREE HONORS OUR FAMILY’S FATHERS

To give the decorating theme another little element of surprise; I’ll add some navy blue stars to the family tree in my kitchen window. On those stars will be some candid black and white photos of all the Dad’s in our family.  I did this same sort of project (in a different and appropriate way) for Mother’s Day.  It was a great hit. I hope all of the family’s fathers love the photo projects as well.

I’m sure the guys won’t be expecting their version of the family tree for Father’s Day.  The photos we use will make for novel conversation starters as we gather together.  Everyone will love looking over the memories of all of our family’s Father’s in action. This is sure to spark some interesting old stories, plus this little extra effort will truly surprise all of the Dads.

MAKING THE DINING ROOM WORK

I’m going to continue this same festive photographic approach inside the dining area by draping a string of red, white and blue wooden stars inside the window.

The dining table will continue the patriotic look with its array of red, white and blue dishes, place-mats and napkins.  I’ll also add a little country flair to this occasion by using a row of mason jars filled with short stems of pretty navy blue and/or red carnations.  They will cheerfully grace the center of the table. This will make things feel a little less formal.  It may produce more of a jazzed-up-casual type of atmosphere which I think our Father’s will enjoy.

I’ll set out the old, (well-used) red, white and blue picnic basket.  It’s starred napkins will add a focus accent in the dining room.

FLAGS ADD A LOT TO THE OCCASION

The kitchen table has it’s larger display of flags inside a tall narrow glass vase.  There is a place for a chalkboard message. I’ll write Happy Father’s Day on the chalk board.  We will let the flags bring the colors into this location of the house.

I’ll fill the family tree with pics of our family’s Dads.  To accent I’ll put two more rows of small mason jars filled with small flags on each side of the tree.

I’ll use my large red wing-backed chairs in the corners of my kitchen. They will be flanked with pretty navy blue pillows which contain white stars. I feel sure I’ll catch a few people using these chairs for short escapes to read, or to sit together for conversations of two while sipping coffee.  The chairs accent each side of the table holding the family tree.

I think some of our time together may be spent outside on the deck.  This will happen even though our deck is still in the ever-changing process of being remodeled. Since that is the case; I’ll flank the tables on the deck with bright red table cloths.  For even more fun I’ll add some mason jars and flags here and there along with some pretty red, white and blue hanging baskets.  They can be placed strategically here and there along the length of the deck.

Things are really beginning to look festive.  I think it is all shaping up for a lovely Father’s Day celebration.

ELIMINATING ALL THE STRESS FACTORS

Father’s Day is another of those stressful scheduling times. That problem CAN be solved; believe it or not. I try to eliminate the stress factor for everyone in our family by not even having a schedule. We will be home all day.  Whoever wants to wonder over is welcome. The door will be open. There will be food and festivities for anyone who wants to join us whenever they want.

No pressure.

It could be a full house.  It could also be an empty house. I never know. So I just don’t worry.  Instead I am thankful for what ever God brings our way. No matter what happens; my husband will have a blessed day.  Our children always manage to surprise him in their own unique individual ways.  They can be really creative.

The world gives us enough schedules to conform to.  We actually try not to be too conforming most of the time.  I’m just not dealing with that in our celebrations and down time.  Nor am I harassing or rushing anyone else. I simply prepare whatever I’ve planned for whoever shows up whenever.  It pays to have low expectations for keeping a firm schedule. Whatever unfolds; unfolds as it does.

It is always good and NEVER boring. Things always unfold just the way God intended.

AN EASY MENU TO GO WITH THE FESTIVE HOUSE

This is all the more reason for having the house festive and the food in order. You never know when someone could decide to drop in. We can be ready to celebrate with either just a few or a crowd at the drop of a hat.

Most years I keep a quick and easy-to-prepare Father’s Day menu handy. Sometimes we grill.  Other times we go out.  Sometimes we are visiting with our grown children in their home towns. One year our South Carolina bunch took us out to eat at the Tupelo Honey Cafe in Greenville, S.C. It was so delicious.  That plan was so perfect for Father’s Day that we started a Tupelo Honey Cookbook collection. https://www.amazon.com/Tupelo-Honey-Cafe-Spirited-Ashevilles/dp/1449400647. We often use their recipes on Father’s Day when we feel like taking the time to cook for a crowd. You can view my standby ideas for Father’s Day food convenience here: https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/fathers-day-food/

The finishing touch to all the patriotic and traditional decorating is simply knowing the truth of that one little trick which utilizes the words of Max Eastman:

“A smile is the universal welcome!”

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY