Devotional: R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Sock it to your dad
On Father’s Day, sons and daughters sometimes wonder: What makes my dad tick?
The answer: His desire for respect. Many psychologists agree that fathers, and men in general, desire respect more than anything else. Type “men desire respect” into a search engine and you’ll find a long list of books and articles devoted to the subject.
In Dr. Emerson Eggerichs’ best-selling Christian book, “Love & Respect”, he writes: “Husbands are made to be respected, want respect, and expect respect,” and, “…without love from him, she reacts without respect; without respect from her, he reacts without love.”
Your father desires respect for the work he does for your family. It’s how God wired him, as explained in Ephesians 5:33 (NIV): “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”
Your father feels honored and respected when you express your appreciation of his efforts. On Father’s Day, after you tell your father you love him, also express your respect for him.
Pray, get social
Today, thank God for your father. Pray, too, that God would comfort families without a father, and that such families would seek Him, their everlasting father. To honor your father, join others on our Facebook page, by posting a fun memory or photo of him.
Please join The Salvation Army by volunteering or making a donation to support your local community.