Father of Us All

Sonora Dodd deeply admired her father, a Civil War vet and hardworking farmer. Just after the war, William Smart married Elizabeth Harris—and the couple had five children. When Elizabeth died, Smart married Ellen Cheek (who already had three children by a previous marriage). The family continued to grow, and the couple had six more children.

By 1891, Smart had four children from his first marriage (one died), three step children, and six children from his second marriage. In 1889, the family moved near Spokane, Washington. That same year, Ellen passed away during childbirth. William was left alone to raise and care for all these children—from newborn to 19 years old.

William’s daughter, Sonora, admired her father’s dedication and, after hearing of the first Mother’s Day, suggested to local authorities that they declare the first official Father’s Day. By 1910, her idea gained traction and, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson visited the Father’s Day observances in Spokane. In 1972, it became a permanent national observance on the third Sunday of each June.

Perhaps we could choose an earlier date for Father’s Day. Moses first spoke of God as Father when he said to the Israelites, “Is He not your Father, who bought you? Has He not made you and established you?” (Deuteronomy 32:6). Through the plan of redemption, God adopted Israel as His child. Isaiah stated, “Now, O Lord, You are our Father” (Isaiah 64:8). Malachi agreed, “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?” (Malachi 2:10).

In the New Testament, Paul distinguished God the Father from Jesus when he said, “There is one God, the Father, of whom are all things … and one Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 8:6). Jesus often spoke of His Father and encouraged us to address God as “our Father” when in prayer. Even more than an earthly father, there is much to admire in our heavenly Father, the One who knows all that we need (Matthew 6:32).

Apply It:

What admirable qualities do you see in your earthly father or someone who was like a father to you?

Dig Deeper:

Isaiah 63:16; Malachi 1:6; John 14:9

Key Bible Texts

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (Matthew 6:9 KJV)