The "Holy" Kiss
Excerpt from Genesis 1:1-2:4a
"Then God said, 'Let there be light;' and there was light."
Excerpt from 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
"Greet one another with a holy kiss. "
Reflection by Ron Buford
Each morning, my Dad put on a pot of coffee, shaved, showered, and was at the breakfast table by 6:30 a.m. He poured a cup of Maxwell House coffee, opened the well-worn family Bible, struggling over its words...because as an African American born in the South in 1913, he only got a third grade education though he still came to great biblical understanding. After praying, he'd kiss my sleeping Mom good-bye. Then he'd come to my room, gently opening my bedroom door, as the dog, who knew she wasn't supposed to be on the bed, jumped to the floor, scooting under the bed. Pretending to be asleep, I'd lay there as Dad kissed my forehead, leaving behind the smell of Old Spice aftershave before punctually starting the car at 7 a.m. He did this for as long as I can remember, even during my summers home from college...until I left home.
How precious the memories of that "Holy Kiss." I still keep a bottle of Old Spice around just to remind me. And whenever I see a blue can of Maxwell House..."good to the last drop," I think of Dad.
Many men are not strong like my Dad, able to be a "man" and yet tender. Far too many women, men, boys, and girls are terrified at the thought of their Dad opening their bedroom door because some Dads or other father figures have violated the sacred trust between a father and his child. Most of those terrified in this way find it difficult if not impossible to approach God as Father, Divine Dad or Parent.
But I am happy to say that this is not the case with most Dads whom we celebrate today — those whose gentle kisses are holy, wholesome, and healing...forever.
Happy Father's Day, Daddy!
Prayer
Gracious God, We thank you for Dads, most of them so good, and almost all of them trying really hard. Help us show our Dads that we love them and appreciate how hard it is to grow and change as godly men in these rapidly changing times. Please send healing to those whose trust even in God has been shaken by Dads who missed the mark, perhaps like their fathers before them. Help us be vigilant in protecting children at home and in our churches. And we know You, O God, to be a healing, cycle-breaking God, with divine and mysterious power, One who not only mends broken hearts and relationships but also creates new ones from chaos, as You did from the first "Let there be." Amen.
Excerpt from Genesis 1:1-2:4a
"Then God said, 'Let there be light;' and there was light."
Excerpt from 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
"Greet one another with a holy kiss. "
Reflection by Ron Buford
Each morning, my Dad put on a pot of coffee, shaved, showered, and was at the breakfast table by 6:30 a.m. He poured a cup of Maxwell House coffee, opened the well-worn family Bible, struggling over its words...because as an African American born in the South in 1913, he only got a third grade education though he still came to great biblical understanding. After praying, he'd kiss my sleeping Mom good-bye. Then he'd come to my room, gently opening my bedroom door, as the dog, who knew she wasn't supposed to be on the bed, jumped to the floor, scooting under the bed. Pretending to be asleep, I'd lay there as Dad kissed my forehead, leaving behind the smell of Old Spice aftershave before punctually starting the car at 7 a.m. He did this for as long as I can remember, even during my summers home from college...until I left home.
How precious the memories of that "Holy Kiss." I still keep a bottle of Old Spice around just to remind me. And whenever I see a blue can of Maxwell House..."good to the last drop," I think of Dad.
Many men are not strong like my Dad, able to be a "man" and yet tender. Far too many women, men, boys, and girls are terrified at the thought of their Dad opening their bedroom door because some Dads or other father figures have violated the sacred trust between a father and his child. Most of those terrified in this way find it difficult if not impossible to approach God as Father, Divine Dad or Parent.
But I am happy to say that this is not the case with most Dads whom we celebrate today — those whose gentle kisses are holy, wholesome, and healing...forever.
Happy Father's Day, Daddy!
Prayer
Gracious God, We thank you for Dads, most of them so good, and almost all of them trying really hard. Help us show our Dads that we love them and appreciate how hard it is to grow and change as godly men in these rapidly changing times. Please send healing to those whose trust even in God has been shaken by Dads who missed the mark, perhaps like their fathers before them. Help us be vigilant in protecting children at home and in our churches. And we know You, O God, to be a healing, cycle-breaking God, with divine and mysterious power, One who not only mends broken hearts and relationships but also creates new ones from chaos, as You did from the first "Let there be." Amen.
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