Father’s Day is fast approaching, and while I could write about how to shower our fathers and husbands with breakfast in bed and BBQ’s, I’m not going to…although we should. I’m also not going to write about being there for friends who don’t have a husband or father to celebrate, or who are struggling with infertility and feeling fragile on this day that celebrates parenthood…although we should be.

What I am going to write about is how we can improve our relationships with the dads and husbands in our lives all year long in one simple step. (That’s the hook…and it won’t even cost you $19.99!)

The first and most important relationship in the life of a Christ-follower is our relationship with God, our heavenly Father. Jesus said if He could sum up all the commandments, the most important would be to love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength. ALL. Not part. Not whatever’s left over after we’ve loved and cared for our children. ALL.

How is this possible since there are SO many people to love. How can we spend ALL of our energy on God when need so much energy to love other people? Energy that we often don’t have to begin with.

That’s the beautiful, mysterious, supernatural way that God works. Give Him your ALL, and He’ll give you more.

Not just more than we give Him, more than enough for everything else. The Bible says, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33). See, when we really choose to follow the greatest commandment, everything else falls into place. Want to be a better wife and mom? Want more patience? Want to do mundane tasks with more joy? Want more empathy and compassion for your family and friends?

SEEK HIM FIRST.

For me, and believe me I’m not perfectly disciplined, seeking Him first means connecting with Him first thing in the morning. Reading the Word and praying before I move into my day sets my eyes on Him and brings me peace. It also helps me get to know Him more. Just like my best friend for 25 years, or my husband for 15 years, there’s always more to learn about God. And each time I learn something new, I fall deeper in love with Him, and trust Him more with my life and my family.

Father’s Day is about celebrating the Dads in our lives. What better way is there to celebrate our dads and husbands than to have more mental energy and to foster more positive and enriching interactions all year long? I can think of no better gift in the world than the gift of a daughter and wife who loves the Lord with all her heart, mind, soul and strength and allows Him to fill her to overflowing with His tremendous love and grace. A woman exuding the peace that comes only from a deep relationship with her Heavenly Father.

Happy Father’s Day to all of your favorite guys…

Blessings, Elly

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

Mark 12:29-20