Daddy Time

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. -Psalms 136:1 (NIV) Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 (NIV) Taking a break from "Fearless" today. Sunday is Father's Day, and I just can't let it pass without a word. Having a dad is something that unites us all. We all have one, whether we know him or not. As with all human positions, fathers come in all types, shapes, sizes, personalities, spiritual persuasions. Some of us still enjoy the presence of our fathers, some don't. Some never did. It's a word that carries with it a tremendous amount of emotion, some positive and some not so positive. My dad has been gone 8 years now. Sometimes that seems like yesterday, sometimes it seems forever. Dad died before he turned 76, but he had been in ill health for some time. His death certificate says lung cancer, but we adamantly believe that's not what killed him. His heart, weakened by disease and his defibrillator, just wore out. Dad was just like any father in many ways. He supported his family, worked hard, loved his career. He could be a lot of fun, or completely impossible. He was the #1 champion of the universe of worrying. He could find something to worry about in every situation. He was terrified of someone getting hurt. Sometimes one of the kids would just do something daring to hear him squawk. I miss him every day. Dad taught me many things. I particularly remember him teaching me how to memorize difficult things. He'd make up a funny (or somewhat naughty) saying with the beginning letters of the things I had to remember. Worked every time. I still use that technique to this day. Was my dad a perfect father? No. But he did the best he could, and that's what counts. One thing my dad taught me was the most valuable life lesson I ever had. My dad was an alchoholic for all of my growing up years. But when my children were little, he completely stopped drinking and never drank again. An amazing transformation. Later, when I realized I had the same problem, he guided me to help. A lesson and example that saved my life. All our earthly fathers have had their good (and not so good) habits, actions, and examples. Because our other Father is called by that same name, we sometimes think He is like our earthly father. And in many ways He is. But in more ways, He isn't. Yes, He loves us, wants the best for us, disciplines us when we need it, teaches us right from wrong. But He's so much more. Almost always, an earthly father loves his children. He wants what's best for them, and teaches them in the best way he knows. Notice I said the best way he knows. Not all fathers could get an award for 'Father of the Year', but for the most part they do the very best parenting they know how to do. Sometimes that's not good parenting at all, but the motive is usually pure. Unlike our Heavenly Father. His love is constant,deep, never failing, forever. There is nothing we could do to make Him love us less. He knows how to give us the perfect love we crave. The unconditional love that is not possible on a human level. Until we experience the love God gives us, we really don't understand the depth of love. Humans try, but they can't begin to reach that level. The peace, the comfort, the joy He can give in the midst of impossible circumstances is beyond explanation. But just like our earthly fathers, we have to have some sort of communication to enjoy a relationship. The peace, comfort, and joy I mentioned earlier come with a developed relationship. They come when we pursue that relationship and communicate with Him. Praying daily, almost incessantly, and reading the Word are the ways we do this. Just like calling and visiting our dads. If we don't do that, we can't enjoy the relationship. This Father's Day, thank God for the earthly father He gave you. If your dad is still living, spend some time with him. And spend some time communicating with your other Father, the One who needs to hear from you EVERY day. Daddy time.

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