Many of us today have grown up with biological or step fathers that left a little to be desired.  Often due to their own woundings many fathers are not capable of being the kind of father their children really need. Those of us who grew up with a father that didn’t nurture and that was not trustworthy in many ways often develop a deep distrust for our Heavenly Father. The only father we ever had was not trustworthy so why would we trust our Heavenly Father?  When I became a Christian at 16 years of age, my longing was for a father that would hear me when I cried out to him.  God answered that cry!  He heard me and through the gift of faith, allowed me to grow in a deep relationship with Him.  Through His word, I began my journey of learning who He really is and how He really feels about me.

The first thing I learned was that when I am sincere in seeking Him and His will He always responds.  I have felt His presence when I have needed it most. In my darkest days of loss and sadness He has comforted me.  In my days of struggling with issues, He has sent the Comforter to encourage me.  Unlike earthly fathers, His love is never ending and limitless. Through His son, He has offered us a safe place and position that allows us to boldly come before His throne and make our requests known.  He loved us enough to offer up His precious son as a sacrifice so that all of us would be able to have an intimate relationship with Him.  That’s pure and undefiled love.

It’s not unusual to feel disappointment from time to time towards earthly fathers but it is an awesome thing to know that Father God will not disappoint us when we put our trust in Him.  If your earthly father has hurt or offended you in some way take that hurt to your Heavenly Father and lay it at His feet. Lay it down and forgive.  It will bring freedom. Holding onto your disappointments will just bring bitterness and wounding to your soul.  Turn it all over to God.  He will take those hurts and replace them with joy and freedom.

If you don’t have an earthly father, God will meet your needs.  As Psalm 68:5 says, He is a “Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling.”  Take Him at His word and then go show some love to your earthly father this Father’s Day!

1John3:1 NIV How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called the children of God.

Matt7:11 NIV If you, then though are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him.

Jer 31:3 NIV The Lord appeared to us in past saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with loving kindness.”