Father's Day started in 1909 when a young lady by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd, who was at church on Mother's Day, when she listened to the sermon and she thought about how they were celebrating the life of her Mother.

According to the story, Sonora's mother had died in childbirth, and her father, Henry Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran and farmer, was raising Sonora and her five siblings as a single parent. Sonora wanted to find a way to celebrate and thank her Dad with a day that was as special to Mother's, to honor her Father and his sacrifices for their family.

It wasn't until 1924, when U.S. President Calvin Coolidge officially urged Americans to celebrate a national Father's Day. By 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a Presidential Proclamation, designating the third Sunday of June as Father's Day. President Richard M. Nixon signed a 1972 bill, making the holiday legal, official and permanent.

In 1999, Father's Day became the fifth most popular card-sending holiday, with an estimated $95 million in card sales, not just with fathers but for husbands, grandfathers, uncles, sons, and sons-in-law are among the honorees.

A new statistic came out in 2004 where there were an estimated 98,000 "stay-at-home" dads. These are married fathers with children under 15 years old who have remained out of the labor force for more than one year primarily so they can care for the family while their wives work outside the home.

So in the end, this holiday for Dad has only been a permanent fixture in our lives for the last 40 years, even though it has been celebrated for over 100 years. As a father, I tip my hat to Sonora Smart Dodd for her reverence for the male figure in her life, rather than making him an after-thought.

Since it was Sonora Smart Dodd who came up with the idea in church, one could wonder (as I have), which scripture passages inspired her. Since she has long passed (died in 1978), one can only wonder. I did some research and have compiled the Top 10 most quoted Bible Verses, when referring to Fathers and or Dads in the Bible.

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    1

    A Father's Integrity

    "I know, my God, that You examine our hearts and rejoice when You find integrity there."

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    2

    A Father's Courage

    "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

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    3

    A Father's Father

    "Father to the fatherless, defender of widows - this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families; He sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But He makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land."

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    4

    A Father's Compassion

    "Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him."

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    5

    A Father's Legacy

    "The father of one who is right with God will have much joy. He who has a wise son will be glad in him."

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    6

    A Father's Wisdom

    "I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life."

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    7

    A Father's Promise

    "(Elijah) will lead children and parents to love each other more, so that when I come, I won't bring doom to the land."

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    8

    A Father's Love

    "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

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    9

    A Father's Fruit

    "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"

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    10

    A Father Imparting Truth

    "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

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