“I don’t know him.” My son’s words sting because they’re true. I tuck the Father’s Day card into its envelope and a sigh of undesired acknowledgement escapes my lips.
A twelve hour road trip has separated us for more than fifteen years. Nothing more. And I wish things were different. Like a child yearns to see the daddy who no longer lives at home, I still desire fatherly pursuit. A relationship of “I’ll be there when you need me” and “I’d cross the country twice just to see you.”
[bbctt tweet="The father-shaped place in my heart hurts a little bit today. Perhaps your does, too.#Father'sDay#heartwounds"]
The father-shaped place in my heart hurts a little bit today. Perhaps your does, too. This world can taint the most beautiful of relationships and leave us longing for more. More time. More meaningful communication. More love.
If every Father’s Day reminds you of what is missing in your earthly relationship with your dad, then I want you to know there is someone who loves you beyond your wildest imagination.
The perfect model of parental love, your heavenly Father demonstrated his love for you when he wove threads of life inside a woman and fashioned your soul. He envisioned the beauty of you. Wanted a heart-to-heart relationship with you.
Then, he called you his own. A child of God upon whom his love might be lavished. (1 John 3:1) A child that he delights in and rejoices over. (Zephaniah 3:17) A precious little lamb who is treasured as if she were the only one in the flock. In Him, you will never be lost, overlooked, or pushed aside. (Matthew 18:12-14)
[bbctt tweet=" In Him, you will never be lost, overlooked, or pushed aside.#perfectlove#heavenlyFather"]
Unlike the most loving of human daddies, the Father’s love is boundless. It reached beyond heaven to the hillside of Golgotha and extended from the grave to triumphant resurrection. This Father, dear one, loves you with such ardor that he descended into the depths of hell to lay rest to the enemy’s claim on your life. No distance is too great. No obstacle too large. No circumstance worth losing you.
This Father’s Day, I pray you’ll be able to rejoice in the Lord’s incomprehensible love and allow him to fill any of those daddy-shaped places in your heart.
Consider taking the following action steps this weekend when your heart feels the loss of what you’re missing in your earthly daughter-daddy relationship.
- Recite Bible verses that remind you of God’s love and care for you. (Find a free printable of encouraging verses here.)
- Write a letter of forgiveness to your earthly father. Put it away for three or four days and then decide whether or not you’ll share it with him.
- Create a list of character traits that you appreciate about your father.
- Praise God for being the Father that He is to you.
I often link up with the following wonderful bloggers:
Mondays Sunday Thoughts / InstaEncouragements/ Mandy and Michele
Tuesdays RaRa Linkup /GraceFull Tuesday / Tell His Story/Anchored Abode ,Dance with Jesus
Wednesdays Encouraging Word Wednesday / Recharge Wednesday / Welcome Wednesday /LetsHave Coffee
Thursdays Heart Encouragement / Tune In Thursday / Destination Inspiration / Salt and Light / Five Minute Friday
Fridays Dance With Jesus / Faith N Friends / Fresh Market Friday / Grace and Truth / Faith on Fire / Blogger Voices Network/
It is a difficult day for a lot of people, glad to have a Heavenly Father to turn to.
Absolutely! Blessings, Tammy
So true! Sometimes we can take having a good father for granted and forget there are others who haven’t had the privilege.. but oh, how He loves us!! So thankful for God who is the PERFECT parent. 💛
His love is incomprehensible! How precious to be loved so perfectly. Blessings, Tammy
What a comfort to know that our Heavently Father’s love is limitless and boundless! Thank you for the reminder, Tammy.
It is a comfort. Blessings, Tammy
Amen Ms. Tammy. It’s so comforting to know our heavenly Father will always be there for us. God’s blessings ma’am.
Hi, JD. Blessings to you, as well.
These are such comforting and encouraging words, Tammy. Many of us have both father and mother wounds, and it’s a beautiful gift to know God has and is filling those gaps and healing us along the way. Love all the aspects of the Father’s love you reminded us of, and the more we press into this love, the more whole we become.
He is such a good Father to us, isn’t He? I trust He will bring us to complete healing through His love. Peace and grace, Tammy
Tammy, this is such a needed post for so many at this time of year. Thank you for posting and thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Good morning, Patsy. Thank you for your encouragement! Too many of us struggle with father wounds, but He is faithful. Blessings, Tammy
I love t his post. While I was fortunate to have a good earthly father (and my children have one as well), my heart has a tender palce for those who don’t know an earthly father. Thank you for writing this and linking up with the Legacy Linkup
Good morning, Mandy. So many need the comfort of the Father who loves them best.
Thank you for hosting the linkup! I look forward to getting to know you.
Blessings,
Tammy
Thank you for sharing your post on Grace and Truth this past week. Father’s Day is difficult for many of us. But thankfully, our Heavenly Father’s love abounds just like you said. Thanks again for sharing!
Hi Aimee. My pleasure! Thank you for hosting the link up. He is a good, good Father.
Blessings,
Tammy
Thanks for writing this! Father’s Day is a great day for some, but for others it is a reminder of pain and hurt. I grew up with an absentee father and can relate. However, I so grateful for my Heavenly Father. It is by God’s grace I have reconciled with my biological father. Again, thanks for writing.
Hi K.W. So many of us carry father wounds! What a blessing to have reconciled. Thanks for sharing. Peace and grace, Tammy