Dads, you just don't know how important you are! Your prayers, praise, and presence are invaluable in the lives of your children. Read the history of this special day.

When was the first Father’s Day?

The first Father’s Day was held in Spokane, Washington, in 1910—two years after the first Mother’s Day sermon, which occurred on May 10, 1908—thanks to the efforts of Sonora Smart Dodd, a Civil War–veteran’s daughter who wanted to honor her father and the sacrifices he made.

William Jackson Smart single-handedly raised Sonora and her five younger brothers after their mother’s death in 1898. After listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909, Sonora set out to establish a Father’s Day celebration. For a year, she worked tirelessly with local clergy and civic groups to spread the word, and in June 1910, with help from Spokane’s ministerial alliance and the YWCA, the first Father’s Day took place.

Eventually, The Whole Country Caught On

Sonora hoped it would become a nationwide celebration by 1911, but it wasn’t until 1972 that Father’s Day truly caught on. It was then, when Sonora was 90 years old, that President Richard Nixon declared the third Sunday in June would henceforth be known as Father’s Day, a national holiday.

Have you ever felt like no one truly delights in you? Like you're more burden than blessing, more problem than gift? That ache for acceptance runs deeper than we often admit, leaving us wondering if we're truly wanted.

Here's what will revolutionise your heart today: before you ever sang a note, God was already singing over you. Zephaniah reveals an incredible truth in our reading—that God is rejoicing over you with singing.

Picture this: the Creator of the universe, in all His majesty and power, singing. Not just any song, but a song of pure delight over you. Your name is on His lips in melodies of love. This isn't about your performance or perfection—this is about His heart toward you.

When we understand that God sings first, our singing becomes a response, not a performance. We're joining a song already in progress, harmonising with heaven's anthem over our lives. That feeling of being unwanted? It's drowned out by the sound of your Father's voice singing your worth.

The next time you feel forgotten or rejected, remember: there's a song playing over you right now, sung by the One who matters most.

Reflection: How does knowing God sings over you change the way you see yourself and approach worship?

Action: Find a quiet moment today and simply say, "God, help me hear Your song over my life."

Prayer: Father, thank You that before I ever knew how to sing, You were singing over me. Help me to hear Your delight and respond with my whole heart. Let Your song of love drown out every voice that says I'm not enough. Amen.