Father’s Day is one of those holidays that can create a sadness in the hearts of some. For those that have lost their father, never knew their father, don’t have a close relationship with their father or for those fathers that have lost their children, today can be a day that brings up all sorts of emotions that we don’t typically associate with the word “holiday”.
Scrolling through Facebook today I saw many posts of children honoring their fathers. I saw happy pictures of lunches where the family gathered around to show the love for their father. I also saw posts of sadness because the wonderful father who was loved and respected is missed because he is no longer on this earth. There were many pictures that held fond memories of the man who raised and walked with them through life. But I know some who are bitter, sad or angry today because they weren’t ready to let their father go or because the memories of their father aren’t fond, loving ones. There’s the son or daughter right now watching their father battle a terminal illness. There’s the father in tears today because he lost his son tragically to an illness, accident, suicide or addiction. There’s the adopted child who wonders why his natural father didn’t care enough to be a part of his life.
Then…….
There’s the Hope. There’s the truth.
In scripture……
He is a “father to the fatherless” (Psalms 68:5)
Wait, father to the fatherless? Is that not beautiful? No need to mourn? No need to be sad or bitter or angry? No….. In Psalm 68, David says, “sing to God, sing praises to His name”….. He is a “father to the fatherless”. Years and years and years later, we can find comfort and sing praise because David’s words are still true! Yes, God is a father to those that don’t have fathers today. God is my father. I can celebrate and not mourn. I can sing praise and not grumble!!
More hope. More truth.
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1)
“Oh Lord, you are our Father” (Isaiah 64:8)
“One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Eph 4:6)
Oh, what hope, what peace, what comfort those words can bring to all those that mourn on this Father’s Day.
God, our Heavenly Father (Matt 23:9), our Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6) is a father to the fatherless.
Today, I rejoice and don’t cry for my father who’s not here with me to enjoy a nice Father’s Day lunch. My father was taken way too young, in my selfish opinion. He never got to meet my son and he never got to meet my grandson. But today, I don’t mourn. Today, I thank my Heavenly Father for the years I did have with him. I thank God for wonderful, sweet memories. I don’t mourn the fact that I’m not having the typical “Hallmark movie” type of Father’s Day today with a table full of family. Today, I thank God for calling me His child. I thank God for His promises and His truth that he gives me through His Word.
I pray that others who have had a less than Hallmark movie or Hallmark card kind of Father’s Day can find peace in knowing they too have an Everlasting Father in Heaven that loves them today.
Father, I turn to you today thanking you for the comfort I receive from Your Word and Your presence. I thank you for claiming me as your child. You are a good, good Father. You are a loving, merciful, gracious Father. Thank you for loving me and forgiving me. Thank you for reminding me that I am not fatherless!! May others find peace in knowing they have a good and perfect Father in you as well. For those that don’t know You as their Heavenly Father, I pray they might cry out to you today and find comfort. I pray that you might call to them and take them by the hand Father.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!
Here’s a few memories of the wonderful man I was blessed to call my Dad-
Jimmy Lee Buford
Surrender 