Daddy, step-dad, father, uncle, deadbeat, or donor. Happy Father's Day.
Father's Day can bring a mix of emotions and for some can be painful. This Father's Day in particular I feel a compassion for others and thought about all the different situations that can make this day a blessing or make this day one you want to eat ice cream in bed, shut the world out and forget about.
I have been blessed with one of the best daddy's ever. He is super smart and incredibly creative. He is a hard worker and very loving. He didn't always do things the way I thought he should (most of the time he was right and I was wrong).
I know there are father's that stepped up to the plate to father when they didn't have to. They took on the role of "step-dad". Maybe they did a great job or maybe they made your life miserable. You might not have even known your father at all. He may have been the donor we hear about. Maybe your natural father turned his back on you which imagine could hurt as bad as never knowing. Perhaps an uncle stepped in to try to fill the void. Maybe you lost your earthly father through death and this day makes that hurt a little more raw. There are some fathers who are victims of parential alienation. They want to be involved in their kids life but the other parent has driven a wedge and won't allow it. Maybe there is a cause, maybe there isn't so much but regardless there are hurting kids and hurting dads.
I know of many situations like all of these. I feel compelled to minister healing to those that are hurting. I want to honor those that have stepped up and I want to encourage those that have regrets and feel like they are failures. I want to bless those whose daddy's have gone on ahead to heaven before you.
I think as far as parenting goes we all have regrets. There is not a perfect person so there is no perfect parent or child for that matter. This morning I was blessed beyond measure to hear a young step father throw macho to the wind and humble himself in the most beautiful God way to acknowledge that he had blown it at times. He poured out his heart to his step children with such love that the entire congregation was overcome. He asked for their forgiveness. He told them he loved them. He told them there was nothing he wouldn't do for them if it was within his power to do it. He's not a step parent because the kids don't have a dad. They have a great father but they are also blessed with a great step father.
I know a little girl who doesn't know who her father is and she seems a little confused by this whole Father's Day thing. She does have a wonderful "Pa" and a young uncle that has taken a role in her daily life that means so much.
I think of my cousins who just lost their daddy earlier this month. Theirs is a story of a dad being one when he didn't have to be. You see, he was technically their "step-dad" but he raised those kids (all four of them) just like they were his own. He was provider, nurturer, teacher and all the things that a daddy does without thinking twice that he didn't have a role in their birth. He was a victim of parential alienation with a daughter that was born to him when he was young. He tried unsuccessfully to repair that breach. That wasn't Gods plan or Gods best. God is a healer and a repairer of the breach.
My husband grew up not knowing who his natural father. I think he last saw him at the age of 6 or so. He had a step dad later in life that he learned some good life lessons from but he still had the void of being considered, the fatherless. He came to know that Jesus was truly his father and he has a grasp of God being his Daddy that many don't understand. My prayer today is that others will come to know their Abba Father!
My husband stepped into the role of step dad while also being dad. It was a rough patch and some alienation happened that I know he wants healed on all levels.
Today I am praying and believing that the annointing that was present to heal in our little church service this morning will carry through and heal hearts. I personally know some men that have had a hard time stepping into the role of dad for what ever reason. I know they have regrets. I pray that God ministers healing to their hearts. If you were one that had such a dad, I pray your heart be healed and perhaps a chance for a restored relationship be given.
You see, I have been in a place today where I was ministered to by my Heavenly Daddy. He corrected me, He loved me and He blessed me. I want to share what happened with you.
No matter what kind of earthly father you have or had or what kind of a relationship you have or don't have with them, you have a heavenly father that loves you beyond measure. I promise he does. I promise it is real. Let The Father, Father you!
To the dads, uncles and men that have stepped up when they didn't have to, God bless you. I love this Brad Paisley song so much. So I share it with you.
To my husband who has stood with me to help raise and support children he didn't have to and has been a great constant in our daughter and Lil Mak's life, thank you! Happy Father's Day. I love you.
To my daddy, Lonnie P. I love you beyond words. You are an incredible man that has overcome things that would have killed a lot of people. Your faith in God that you have instilled in me is one of the things I am most grateful for. Your sense of humor you passed along helps me through the tough times. Your love for your fellow man has become my mantra. I love you and I am so thankful for you.
And to my son, Caleb. You probably do not know how much your role in lil Kinleigh's life means but it is special. I thank you for being so loving and patient with her. I thank you for showing her love from a young man. It means so much.
Thank you Caleb for teaching Maknleigh things and being there for her.
And finally, to my nephew Zack. I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of you. You took on the role of daddy so beautifully. Your sons are blessed. I also thank you for what you mean to little Maknleigh. She loves her uncle Zack. You are a great father figure for her too. It took a village to raise you and you have taken on the village as an adult. I love you little brother/nephew.
Thank you Zack for helping me with so many things.
Prayers of blessings to all this Father's Day. May forgiveness, mercy and love abound.
