Amanda Alexander
Who founded Fathers Day and why is it so special? “According to History.com, after hearing a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909, a Spokane, Washington woman was inspired to create a similar holiday that celebrated fathers.
Sonora Smart Dodd, who was born in 1882, is recognized as the founder of Father’s Day. Dodd, who died in 1978, was raised by a twice married, twice widowed Civil War veteran with 14 children. As a result, she wanted to honor “loving service” of fathers.”[1] What a beautiful legacy! However, as wonderful as it is to honour father figures in this way, sadly there’s a flip side to this celebration.
There are many in global society who cannot and will not celebrate the father or the father figure in their life. This reluctance mainly stems from the negative, painful influence the ‘Father’ had on their child’s life.
Sadly, memories of physical, emotional, spiritual, sexual abuse, abandonment, neglect or rejection, the list is endless, plagues the heart and minds of these children. As a consequence, they grow into adults who later become parents and don’t know how to show love to their own children, hence the perpetual cycle of emotional bondage or the inability to demonstrate love continues.
You may have had such a father in your life, but I want to encourage you today that there is freedom from that pain. God is willing and ready to bring you into a place of restoration, peace, joy and wholeness. The bible says in Psalm 27:10 “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me”. I can testify that this scripture manifested in my life. As a child my father abandoned and rejected me until my mid-thirties. God reconciled us through a near-miss accident we had with each other, unknowing who was driving the car at the time.
It came to light shortly after that incident that my father had stomach cancer, and I was the first person he saw the next morning after being admitted to hospital. He was shell shocked to say the least. God restored our relationship through forgiveness, and the love we have for each other became deep. My father said loving words to me on his deathbed that I will forever treasure and, my broken heart was healed, thank you Lord!
[1] https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/06/16/when-is-fathers-day-how-did-it-start-everything-to-know/70305884007/#:~:text=Who%20started%20Father’s%20Day%3F,the%20founder%20of%20Father’s%20Day.
Upon my father’s passing I honoured him and still do this day! Therefore I know that the same God who did it for me, can do it for you too! Turn over your pain, tears, anger, disappointment to God, He knows exactly what to do to turn your sorrow into joy, even if your father has already left this earth.
You will feel liberated, filled with joy and peace. You will have a depth of love for your father which will lead to you not feeling the sting of the past anymore.
I encourage you to fall on your knees today, into the loving arms of your Heavenly Father who is waiting for you. I hope and pray that on ‘Fathers Day 2024’, you’ll be able to say, like I do ‘Happy Fathers Day’.
So until next time, remember that you are beautiful and wonderfully made – With love Amanda x
Amanda Alexander is a Pastor, Teacher, TV Media Journalist, Founder of Female Dignity, Warrior Women. She’s on the leadership team of New Life Church BS ministry coordinator for
Patrick’s Mission
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