It was Halloween. He had made his decision, and with his belongings packed, he put the car in gear and left. With that one decision, our house was never the same, and my future was forever changed. Like a revolving door, my parents would work things out, and then he would leave again.
This would happen several times, of course, until the final time. Our relationship changed, and never recovered when he left the first time. I was no longer daddy’s girl; in fact, it was the exact opposite. He wanted absolutely nothing to do with me. Do you know what that does to a 15-year-old girl? One day she has a dad who loves her, and the next day he does not.
Even all these years later, as much as this hurts to say, he never reached out to me to even attempt to have a relationship with me. A few years later, after becoming an adult, I tried and was rebuked. In fact, he had told a sibling of mine he wanted nothing to do with me as I am my mother’s child in every aspect. I reminded him too much of our mom. WOW! Your father is supposed to be your everything. Your security is embedded in him. He is, in fact, the man who is to show you what to look for in a future husband.
Fast forward a few years later. A sweet lady who I referred to as my work mom invited me to her church. I jumped at the chance. Although it was on the “wrong” day, the pastor was speaking of how God loves you like your father. I’m sure you can imagine I did not want to hear that, as I felt no love from my father, and if God loved me like my father, couldn’t He love me and just eventually leave like my father? I stood up and left in the middle of the sermon.
Oh, If I could just turn back time to stay and listen, I know how much pain and suffering this would have saved me from, let alone the years of growing in Christ. However, we know God’s timing is perfect, and in the moment in time, HE knew I wasn’t ready to hear the message.
When I finally received Christ a few years later, I had to deal with The Father’s love and what that was about. How was I so wrong?
HE knows my heart and every detail of what transpired to that point, and HE waited for me to get to the other side of the pain.
With a heart broken by my earthly father, eventually, I looked to my Father in Heaven to heal it. HE calls us children by adopting us into HIS family. From the moment we enter the family, we are loved unconditionally.
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God, and that is what we are.” 1 John 3:1
His love for his children is so much greater than any earthly father could even imagine. He will never fail me or abandon me. Humans will let us down, and unfortunately, this includes our parents.
God’s Love for us is beyond our imagination.
“His love is freely shared with us. We abide in it because we abide in him: “And now, little children, abide in him.” 1 John 2:28
Of course, deep down, that little girl in me still wants her daddy to crawl in his lap. But she knows her FATHER. His love for her is unfathomable, and He will never leave or let her down. He disciplines when needed, and she knows what He does is only best for her no matter the trials she may endure. He knew my life story before he formed me in my mother’s womb.
“For you created my inmost being you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13
My Prayer:
Father, I come to you as your daughter whom you call your own. Thank you for being The Father you are. I am beyond grateful you call us your own. I do pray over every soul who this shall reach. I pray you show them you are their Father. You can be trusted and relied upon for love and security.
We are in a day where families are so broken, Lord, and need the extra love only You can provide. You know the deep dark secrets and where they are kept. Lord, I pray you release us from the pain we are in. Show us the way to walk in the way of love and grace with You. I pray you give comfort and peace of grieving over loved ones passing and the ones walking with their loved ones into their final day or hours. Lord, we have so many hurting. Please show them you are with them. I ask you all of this in Jesus’ name.
Amen
Missy Burks
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#missyburksblogs