This Sunday, June 16, we observe Father’s Day. It is the fourth most popular greeting card day of the year according to Hallmark. Every dad KNOWS that our special day ranks far beneath Mother’s Day.

According to the snopes.com web site, Mother’s Day boasts the largest number of long-distance phone calls annually. Father’s Day records the largest number of COLLECT calls placed during the year.

My sister and I carefully planned Mother’s Day gifts during our childhood. Father’s Day was a no-brainer. My dad ALWAYS got Old Spice cologne. If we were feeling especially generous, he got a gift set of Old Spice aftershave, Old Spice deodorant, and Old Spice talcum powder. Do you sense a theme here?

It’s funny—I cannot recall my dad ever actually WEARING Old Spice.

Another perpetual “can’t miss” gift for Father’s Day was a fashionable tie. Most dads own some “interesting” ties that their children hand-selected. Other gifts are even more creative.

I recall one such a memorable gift from my own son. He had gone on a church trip and spent his OWN money to buy his dear dad a special present. It was a gold and black vanity plate for my car that declared in large, bold letters: “PASTOR!”

I might not be the most patient of drivers. It’s better for my witness, our church, and the kingdom that no one knows my vocation when I’m on the road. I told my son him that I wanted to keep the special gift in my officer in order to view it all the time.

Fortunately, most fathers ascribe to the philosophy that “It is the thought that counts.” We cherish homemade gifts and cards; but sometimes you have GOT to wonder what your children were thinking!