Father’s Day, a time of deliberate reflection on the importance of dad. The difference between a friend’s role and father’s role is as wide as the age span between 16 and 60. Huge, no matter how old you are. A father must provide constant love, discipline, and economic subsistence. He must protect and guide; set a good example, and instill ethical and moral values.

A father wants his child to become a more responsible, self-sufficient, and compassionate human being. Early on, a father cannot be a friend if for no other reason than a friend is by choice. To be a father is a privilege, but above all it’s a moral obligation. A father gives a child what he or she needs, not necessarily what is wanted.

When God blesses a man with a son or daughter he entrusts in him the mission to be responsible for the child’s moral development and well-being. And then, he must let him or her go. Likewise, the son or daughter is given the responsibility to honor their father living a worthy life.

My dad would be 79 if I could have been fortunate enough to celebrate father’s day with him today. He wasn’t well educated; but he was a learned man. He didn’t have a career as a physician, attorney or high level executive; but he had a healing heart, he was a helper and good listener. Dad wasn’t an athlete, craftsman, or philanthropist; but he’d always go the distance for you, he’d mend anything that was broken and he’d give you the shirt off his back… and often did. He taught me to fish; the rules of hockey and the rules of the road when I couldn’t for the life of me pass my drivers test at 16.

So what do you give a dad on Father’s Day? How should Father’s Day be celebrated or remembered? Not one more tie; forget the boxer shorts and pass on the fish clappers. You might consider showing dad that he has done a good job at fathering: shower him with respect and love. Honor him with your presence and spend time with him. Let him know he’s done a good job and do the right thing.

If you don’t have a good relationship with your father; make it right or make a deliberate effort to reflect on how you can do so. If you don’t have a father; I bet you know how to make a difference for someone who needs a son or daughter for the day. If you dad is gone, spend time with him in prayer and honor his memory.