For You From The Word
Honor your father and your mother. (Exodus 20:12, NIV)
For You To Think About
Sonora Smart Dodd was one of six children raised by her father, a widower and Civil War veteran named William Jackson Smart. The family lived in Spokane, WA where Smart was a farmer.
In 1909, Sonora heard a sermon about the newly-recognized Mother’s Day. Dodd’s own mother had died 11 years earlier, and her father had raised their six children alone. Sonora felt moved to honor her father, and fathers everywhere, with a special day as well. She proposed her idea to local religious leaders and gained wide acceptance. June 19, 1910, was designated as the first Father’s Day.
Over time the idea of Father’s Day became popular and embraced across the nation. In 1972, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father’s Day to be held on the third Sunday of June each year.
Today we celebrate fathers and fatherhood thanks to Sonora, who chose to honor her father publicly.
For You To Pray
Loving Father,
Thank you for fathers and fatherhood. Show each of us how to honor the men that have given us life.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
More Devotions about Fathers and Fatherhood
Honor Your Heavenly Father on Father’s Day