It’s Father’s Day weekend again, and those of us who don’t have a dad to celebrate might feel that there’s no reason to celebrate.  Well, I believe there is and I’d like to share why…

The last couple of years of healing have done wonders for me, but I still feel a small sense of sadness every Father’s Day. This time of year had always been a tremendous struggle for me.  My earthly father left my life when I was sixteen years old. It was a time when I needed a father the most.  I spent many years in bitterness and sadness and eventually drunkenness because I didn’t know how else to handle it. I didn’t know my Heavenly Father for many years, so watching others enjoy their dads was always such a painful time for me.  Even though I have a wonderful mother who loved me and took good care of me, I still felt left out and unloved–I felt robbed for not having my dad.  I believe part of it was the lies coming from the enemy, but I think it was just extra difficult because I was so close to my dad when I was young. My heart felt like it was broken beyond repair. 

I am extremely grateful that I don’t feel that way any longer. My heart is completely healed thanks to Jesus. Each year gets a little better. The Lord helped me to forgive and the relationship was slowly being restored.  Unfortunately, my time with my dad was cut short when he suddenly passed away in September 2010.  I am so grateful for that short amount of time that the Lord gave us.  True forgiveness and healing came from it.  I don’t think that would have happened had I not fully opened my heart to the Lord.  I’m learning to look at what I have, not what I’ve lost. That is huge in my life. I was given back my earthly father at the perfect time, for the perfect amount of time.  I can say that because I know that God’s timing is always perfect.  My dad did not live to see my testimony of sobriety land in a book or televised on an international church service in 2010, but I know he sure would have been proud.  I have come so far on this journey and I am so glad to know that my dad had accepted Christ sometime before he died. So when I finally make it home, we will meet again. That makes my heart smile. God always gives me something to smile about.  The best part of all of this is the relationship I have developed with my Heavenly Father, everything I went through brought me to Him and that is the greatest thing that could have ever happened in my life.

Now that I do know my Heavenly Father, I am going to celebrate Him on Father’s Day and actually, I want to celebrate Him every day because He has done so much in my life.  He constantly keeps me in awe and all I can think of doing is to share what He does in my life and share His amazing love with others.  

Today, when I see fathers who are there for their children, I am so blessed by it.  I confess that part of me still may feel a little left out, but my Heavenly Father doesn’t let that feeling last for long.  I am truly happy for the sons and daughters out there who still have an earthly father in their lives, you are truly blessed.  For everyone, especially for those who never really had an earthly father in your life or for those of you whose fathers have passed on, I pray you feel the love from your Heavenly Father. I pray His love overflows in your hearts. 

So no matter what your circumstance is, please don’t forget to celebrate your Heavenly Father. I truly believe that He is our main reason to celebrate and I believe He so deserves our praises!  If you don’t know your Heavenly Father yet, maybe this is the time for you to start.  Maybe God is nudging you right now to open your heart to Him. I am praying that you do because I know that your life will never be the same!

I want to wish a very Happy Father’s Day to all of you dads out there (and to you moms who play the role of both parents),  may God bless you richly. ♥