Happy
Father’s Day!
I
am fortunate to still have my dad with me on this earth. I know
that some of you are not, and that especially today, you miss him. It
is comforting to know that our Heavenly Father will always be here
with us. Luke 15:31 says, “‘My son,’ the Father said, ‘You are always with me, and everything I have is yours.’”
I
have many memories of my dad. One of my earliest memories is when I
was about two years old. I was at my grandma’s house with my
parents. Dad took me out to the car to get something. We walked up
the driveway to the car, and as we walked back, the rain began to
fall in sprinkles. I remember the polka dots of raindrops on the
driveway. My dad lifted me up to his shoulders and began singing
“Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head,” by B.J. Thomas. Not long
after that, I remember being at my great grandmother’s house at
Christmas. I must have been about three then. I was sitting in my
dad’s lap, and we were reading a book together. Then at the age of
five, I have a memory of sitting on the couch with dad at home,
watching an episode of “Lost in Space.” Dad had me nestled in
cozy next to him. He let me drink Big Red out of his big, green cup.
I felt special. All through my childhood, I remember one thing about
my dad: He was always showing me how much he loved me. This is true
even into my adult years.
I’m blessed to have a dad who has consistently shown me what the love of God the Father is like. For those of you who did not have loving fathers, I share my dad’s example because I think it represents the way God, Abba, loves us. No matter what kind of relationship you have/had with your dad, remember that Abba loves you tenderly and without conditions. Isaiah 43:4 says, “Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.” John 3:16 is a clear reminder of how much God loves you. “For God so loved the world (you), that he gave his only begotten Son. That whosoever believes in him will not die, but have everlasting life (with Him).”
My husband, Mark, is also a great
example of God’s fatherly love for His children. Sometimes he
amazes me with his great patience. When the kids need discipline, he
is slow to anger; and he wants them to understand the error of their
ways, rather than just ordering a punishment. He will spend a great
deal of time instructing them, but he also spends an equal amount of
time listening to them. My husband’s parenting example is one I try
to adopt. I tend to be a bit more dramatic, lose my patience, and
even fly off the handle at times. Mark usually goes behind me after
the dust settles, and he smoothes everything over for me and for the
kids. He is definitely a peacemaker, and I’m sure that that must be one
of his spiritual gifts.
Whatever your memories of your earthly
father, remember how much God, the Father, Abba, loves you. His love
for you is true, solid, and without reservation. He longs to take you
in His arms and hold your heart next to His. He is the ultimate
Daddy, and He is yours.
