Every month we submit an article to Great Shelford's monthly magazine. Here is our latest contribution for the June 2026 edition.

Father’s Day
 
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)
 
Have you ever thought about the roles of parents in fairy tales? They’re often missing completely (why didn’t Goldilocks’ parents tell her not to enter strange houses and eat whatever she finds there?), or only around long enough to make way for the evil stepmother. I imagine there would be some very complicated feelings around Father’s Day in fairy land!
 
Back in the real world, there can also be really complicated feelings around Father’s Day. Some of us have never known a father. Some have unfulfilled dreams of being a father. Some have really happy memories of fathers. Some are in the middle of the daily grind of parenting and the struggle for work-family balance. Some are getting so much joy out of being fathers, or being with their fathers. Some are missing fathers. Some fathers are missing their children. And, sadly, for some Father’s Day is a really painful reminder of the ways men have hurt us or not looked after us as they should (sorry to bring it up).
 
The Bible tells the story of God as the most loving, compassionate, wise, strong, with-us-to-help-us parent in the world. It tells us that anyone who receives Jesus and believes in him becomes adopted into the family of God, entering a special parent-child relationship with him. Christians around the world call God “Father.” Whatever your associations with the word “Father,” whether happy or sad, the Bible tells us that God is better than that – better than even the best parent you can imagine! All our efforts pale in comparison with how perfectly God knows and loves and looks after those who trust in him. Maybe this Father’s Day is a chance for you to ponder that.
 
And to all the fathers out there who are doing your best, day in and day out, to love and look after your kids, thank you. We need you. I hope this Father’s Day you can know how much God loves you, too.
 
God bless,
Monica Cragg