We do dads a disservice when we distill them down to their hobbies. Today is a day to honor all that a father represents: a legacy of faith, integrity, sacrifice, and provision—and we give him a new golf club, sports apparel featuring his favorite team, or a gift card to a store for outdoorsmen. Like most American holidays, Father’s Day has been hijacked by clever marketing to dupe buyers into yet more conspicuous consumption.

Sons, daughters, wives—we can do better. Gifts are certainly nice, but we also have other love languages in our toolboxes.  

We can use our words to offer appreciation. This can be a phone call to tell your dad what his role in your life has meant to you. It doesn’t have to sound like a greeting card; the truth is that most of those cards paint a simplistic and too-rosy picture of what is often a complicated and nuanced relationship.

We can volunteer to help, which can look like doing yardwork as a token of thanks for all the hard work he has done for you. Do whatever communicates this to your dad: “I see the sacrifices you make for me, and I want to honor you for it.”      

Finally, thank your heavenly Father for making you the beneficiary of blessings that were sown in faithfulness long before you were born. “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments” (Deuteronomy 7:9).