Tag: fatherhood

June: Father’s Day, Family Fitness, and Summer

June marks the midway point of the year, transitioning from spring to summer with its warm days and outdoor activities. It features Family Health & Fitness Day, promoting community health through parks and recreation, and Father’s Day, celebrated on the third Sunday. Much happens for a short month.

Are you someone who wonders how June arrived so soon? By the end of this month, the year will be half over. It is another of the short months with only 30 days, but there is much to remember and do. (Pop quiz-what other months have 30 days? Answer at the end of this post.)

Spring meets Summer

Many of us in the northern hemisphere made it through the cold dismal winter months only to contend with spring storms. Near where I live we have had devastating tornadoes. I’ve seen reports of massive flooding in other areas.

June promises warm, even hot, summer days to enjoy outdoor activities and vacations. The first day of summer occurs in June, called the summer solstice. South of the equator you experience the winter solstice.

graphic of the earth explaining equinox and solstice
An illustration of the changing relationship of the earth and sun throughout the year; original source not known

It’s the longest day of the year, then the days progressively shorten until the first day of winter in December.

Family Health and Fitness Day

NRPA’s Family Health & Fitness Day — celebrated the second Saturday in June each year — promotes the importance of parks and recreation in keeping communities healthy.

Various research studies have confirmed that local parks, recreation programs, green spaces, and access to the outdoors are critical for creating healthy, active, and resilient communities. Parks and recreation play a critical role in supporting our mental and physical well-being, and Family Health & Fitness Day is a great opportunity to celebrate this.

The National Park and Recreation Association encourages communities to participate by inviting families to be active and healthy at their local park or recreation center. Whether that involves hosting a special event, such as a family fun run, planning a health and wellness fair, or simply encouraging community members to engage with your local trails and facilities, there are endless opportunities to be as creative and fun as you’d like with your celebration!

Ideally, recreation for fun and fitness should be a year-round activity.

Father’s Day

In the United States, we observe Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June. It’s not quite as big a deal as Mother’s Day in May, but it is catching on. I understand other countries have similar observances for fathers.

I wrote a post featuring a well-known Bible story about a father and two sons. It’s popularly known as the story of the “prodigal son” which became the name of a short-lived television series a few years ago.

Considering Fatherhood: Lessons from the Prodigal Son Story

In the United States, Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June. A biblical story about a father and his two sons illustrates the concept of forgiveness and celebration. The “lost son,” also known as the prodigal son, represents someone who leaves and then returns, seeking forgiveness. The passage encourages honoring important father…

Keep reading

Exploring the HEART of Health

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Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

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Now the pop quiz answer-

Months with 30 days are April, June, September, and November. Congrats if you knew all.

Notice two are in the first half and two in the second half of the year.

I appreciate your time and interest and invite you to help me share the HEART of health by sharing this and other posts. There is no charge for this content but gifts are always welcome and appreciated.

Thanks,

Dr. Aletha

Father and Sons in Luke 15 

a story Jesus told about fatherhood, faith, and forgiveness

This early post has been updated and you can find it at the link below.

I’d love for you to follow this blog and follow me on social media.

I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

Considering Fatherhood: Lessons from the Prodigal Son Story

In the United States, Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June. A biblical story about a father and his two sons illustrates the concept of forgiveness and celebration. The “lost son,” also known as the prodigal son, represents someone who leaves and then returns, seeking forgiveness. The passage encourages honoring important father…

Keep reading

from the original post

The Parable of the Lost Son


11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.

12 The younger one said to his father,

‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’

So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.

14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’

20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. ‘

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.

27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.

29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

31 ” ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ “

via Luke 15 – NIV – Bible Study Tools.