Why a Father Gives Thanks

Psalm 30:11, 12

You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Dear fellow redeemed:

First, let me wish all fathers, in whatever form this title takes, a Happy Father's Day. It is especially appropriate that we gather to worship our Heavenly Father who gave us life and sent His Son to give us renewed life here on earth and eternal life in heaven.

Our topic today is: Why a Father Gives Thanks. Now I am sure fathers out there today can, like myself, recite a list of things to be thankful for. Since I have the pulpit today, I'll share my list with you.

· I am thankful for a son who knows all the engines in Thomas the Tank Engine. Believe me, I can't keep them all straight. To complicate matters, some engines are steam engines and some are diesels. But Matthew can tell you who is a "steamie" and who is a "diesel."

· I am thankful for a son's optimism fueled by Bob the Builder. No matter what the task, Bob asks, "Can we fix it?" And his construction equipment enthusiastically responds, "Yes! We Can!"

· I am thankful for tight, manly bear hugs and wet smooches and a simple, "I love you, Daddy." Also for the assurance to "don't be sad, Daddy." These do make my day.

· I am thankful for the simple games we play: eating "tasty noses," the belly-button song, playing "washer and dryer." A little boy's giggles and laughter are contagious.

· A little boy growing in his faith and knowledge of Jesus. During the Reagan funeral, my wife tells me, Matthew was playing and ignoring the service. But when the Lord's Prayer began, he sat on the couch, folded his hands, and joined in the prayer.

But while these things are fine to be thankful for, they are temporary. At some point they will only be memories. Matthew will grow up and replace Thomas the Tank Engine and Bob the Builder with baseball and football. He will outgrow our silly games and he may not want a hug from his "old man." But I will still be a father and I will still give thanks. Our psalmist this morning reminds us Why a Father Gives Thanks. A father can give thanks because our wailing is turned to dancing. A father can also give thanks forever.

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