Yesterday was a Hallmark day. A date on a calendar that comes every June to give honor and celebrate the great gift of dads.
I have to admit, I'm a total sucker for a good card. I spent way too much time in the card section at target this year picking out the perfect picture/word combo to let my father, father-in-law, and my husband know just how special they are and what a powerful role they play in their children's lives. It was special giving Ryan a sweet little "daddy" card on behalf of his little girl. :)
I can't remember the last time I've spent Father's Day with my actual Father. For years now, June finds him in Minnesota for work and so a card and phone call are all I have to let him know I love him and am thankful for his presence in my life. Regardless, yesterday was a day to 'take note' and remember that I've been blessed to have a father that has loved and cared for me from day one. Always at every softball game, swim meet, steel drum band concert (in 6 th grade...that was fun!). He's always been a great provider for his family and I know he's just a phone call away if I ever needed anything. AND NOW, and awesome Grandpa! Pretty cool guy. :)
But, at some point yesterday, I was stopped in my tracks and was hit with a bit of a gut ache.
The reality is, I have all too many friends that I know were probably having a bit of a difficult time with this day set aside to give homage to fathers. So many have been left fatherless.
Some never knew their dads. Some were abandoned. Some have scars (physically and emotionally) from "fathers." Some have fathers only present in the physical sense. Some are single moms that are raising children without daddies. Some have fathers that have gone on to eternity.
I knew that my gut ache was more an awakening from the Lord. An calling to pray for these people on a day they were more than likely bombarded by society to remember painful memories or lack there of.
So I thought of them and said a quick prayer for them in the midst of the crazy busyness that was our Sunday.
And then the Lord reminded me....
He is the Father to the Fatherless.
He lavishes His (perfect, unconditional, unwavering) love on His children.
He heals broken hearts.
Many of my friends that I thought of yesterday know the Lord and know what it is to be wrapped in His Love. And there are awesome stories of "father figures" that have stepped up to play the role/fill the void of their earthy dad or father to their children.
I didn't write this to feel sorry for or victimize those that have "dad" issues. I'm writing this as a reminder that we have a Heavenly Father. Someone who "created us to love us," just as we have children to love them and have relationship with them. He sent HIS SON to save the lowly, the oppressed, the lost.
And guess what?
That covers us all. We all have hurts and voids. We all need our Heavenly Father. No matter who you may or may not have given cards to yesterday.
So, Happy Father's Day! May everyday find us all needing God and drawing closer to Him in THANKFULNESS that we can call him Abba!
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