A Loving Father
A Loving Father
Its Father’s Day weekend! For some, it is a very special time to love on and focus on “Dad”. For others it is just another weekend. And for a few, it is a heart wrenching, heart breaking time full of longing and tears. I am one of the blessed ones. While I have walked many hard roads in my life, one of my greatest gifts has been an incredible daddy who has loved me and supported me and been there for me every step single step of the way. As I sit this morning and reflect on who he is and the way he loves me – I am in awe. Every child needs a loving father.
There are so many memories running through my mind. I can remember Daddy playing board games and card games with me, laying in the floor and working 1000 piece puzzles, throwing a softball and doing his best to teach me how to turn a cartwheel. (Yes, he could turn one.) He would hold my feet while I attempted to dive into the pool. He stood on his head over and over again trying to teach me to do it, too. I can remember sitting at the kitchen table with Daddy going over homework or trying to get me to understand how to work the equation. He would get so tickled at times he would almost cry. When I disobeyed…he would get angry and be gruff and loud…indicating it was time to straighten up. I remember him confronting a stranger because he was cursing in front of me. He worked hard and he came home every day after work to eat dinner with our family. He taught me to cook, mow the grass and work hard. He sat at the kitchen table every Sunday morning and wrote out his tithe. He served as a deacon. He served many people, actually. He brought presents home every Valentine’s Day and prayed out loud for me every birthday and during hard times. He hired me as an employee and never cut me a single break. He taught the importance of hard work. He came running when I needed help. He comforted me when I thought I would fall apart. He was strong, yet tender; he was my teacher, and my playmate; and he loved me so. And the best part of all of this is that he still does! I am 51 years old and my daddy is still all of these things in my life. We play cards and laugh until we cry. He is my sounding board and my counselor. He is wise! He is strong. He is My Daddy and I love him with all my heart!!!!! Every child needs a loving father.
You know, as I sit and think about all that my daddy is to me and how much he loves me – I am reminded that it pales in comparison to how God loves every single one of us. So today, if you have always longed for a loving father or if you had a sweet daddy who is no longer with you – take comfort in knowing you have a loving Father who can fulfill your longing. He is strong, yet tender; He is your teacher, and your playmate; and He loves you so! God is strong and will defend you and protect you. He is tender and loves you with a sweet, sacrificial, unconditional love. He longs for you to crawl up in His lap. He is there with you. He has given you written instructions to follow to live an abundant life. He has paved the way for you to be with Him. He is alive in you and shares your joy. Life with Him is fun! He makes you laugh out loud with joy when you realize what He has done for you. And He envelops you in His great and all-encompassing love. It is a love that will blow your mind, rock your world and take you to highs you never imagined. It is a love that pours out grace and washes us clean. It is a love that brings us great peace…peace that exceeds understanding. Every child needs a loving father. Every child has a loving father – a Heavenly Father. Every child should embrace their loving father – exalt Him to His proper place in their life – and experience all that He has prepared for them.
This weekend, we all have something and someone to celebrate! Let’s all rejoice and praise our God – the One who breathed life into us – the One who made every good and perfect gift for us – the One who guides and protects – the One who loves beyond comprehension! Happy Father’s Day to My Savior, My Lord, My Heavenly Daddy!!! I love you with all my heart!
I John 3:1…
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
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