Just a month ago we were celebrating Mother’s Day and now here we are a few days away from celebrating Father’s Day.  After I had written  Mothers: Chosen To Fulfill Purpose , a friend said “well, you have written a piece about mothers, are you going to do the same about fathers?”   I confidently told him that I would but it might be more difficult for me to do.  My friend and I then engaged in a conversation about our fathers. You see, I never knew my earthly father and my friend’s father died of a heart attack when my friend was just 6 months old.

I can’t tell you that after I was born, that my father ever held me in his arms.  I can’t tell you that he bounced me on his knees or that he ever took me to get ice cream.  I can’t tell you at times when my heart was broken, that he ever wiped away my tears. I don’t know what kind of cars he drove or what was one of his favorite desserts. I can’t even tell you whether I look like him or act like him in any way. I can’t describe to you how tall he was or what he sounded like when he talked.  I never knew him and I never saw him.  I have never seen a picture of my father.  For me, there is no captured memory of a presence of my father in my life.

My friend, on the other hand, had a father who did get the opportunity to hold him in his arms.  He does have a few pictures of his dad holding him.  However, because he was only 6 months old when his father passed away, he has no actual memories of his father.   For my friend, there was a brief physical presence of his earthly father in his life.

Over the years, I have wondered about my own father.  At one point, I even attempted to locate this man in hopes of finding out more about him and perhaps even more about me.  This past year, during one of those moments where it was just me and God, He let me know that He never intended for me to know my earthly father.  My earthly father fulfilled his purpose in my life.  Wow! It took me almost 50 years to understand this is just how it was meant to be.

Although I may not have known my earthly father, The one who is my Father, has taken care of me all of my life.   He has been the best provider and protector.  He has fed me and clothed me.  He has wiped away my tears and comforted me when I have been disappointed.  He has shielded me when the enemy was lurking around me.   When I needed someone to talk to, He was always right there ready to listen to me.  When I was sick, He was the one who healed me.  When I felt depressed and neglected because I did not know my earthly father, the One who is my Father, gave me peace and helped me to forgive.  My Father, has never left me or forsaken me.  I have always been in the presence of my Father.  He has blessed me beyond measure!

My friend and I have not had the privilege of celebrating Father’s Day over the years like most.   I can, however, tell you that we are both thankful for the presence they did have in our lives.   Each of these men fulfilled their purpose for us.  It has been a bittersweet realization.  We know this was part of God’s plans for us.  His plans to prosper us and give us hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

As you celebrate fathers this weekend, please remember the Father of us all.  If it were not for Him, where would we be?

The Lord’s Prayer

9 My Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the  glory, forever.  Amen. (Matthew 6)

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I was  broken but my Father restored me!