Father's Day

Every year at this time I am constantly reminded of the word "father." It is obviously a wonderful time when we can focus on someone very special. Something else that always happens on Father's Day each year is that our church's week of Royal Family Kids Camp begins. RFKC is a ministry to abused and neglected children giving them an opportunity to experience God's love through the people who volunteer their time to give those kids an amazing week. You can find more information at http://www.rfkc.org/. Many of the precious girls and boys who attend that camp and I have completely different gut reactions to the word "father." I have always prayed during those weeks at camp that it would be my chance to translate that word to them in a new way and possibly to introduce them to a new Father.

For me it is a warm, fuzzy word, a safe, secure person, an unconditionally loving heart that partially belongs to me. Because of that it is quite simple for me to translate those attributes into God my Father. One of my favorite descriptions or attributes of God is that He chooses to be personally involved in my life as Father. I can certainly see why this has been made easy for me to believe. My heavenly Father provides what I need - I experienced the faithful provision of a hardworking father; my heavenly Father watches over me - my father came home each night and we never wondered where he was or when he was coming back; my heavenly Father disciplines and allows things to help me grow - my father spanked and reproved for my safety and development into a godly woman; my heavenly Father loves me unconditionally - of course, that's what fathers do. Or is it always? What does that word bring to mind for the little boy whose father set him on fire or the fragile sweetheart who shakily asked me if any men would be sleeping in our dorm room at camp? No, as you hear the stories of these tiny lives touched by men who are everything opposite of what is good and gentle, the only response is to get on your face and ask God "why?" I understand sin and a depraved world but why did I receive the life-altering blessing of a great father? I will never know, but I have promised God, myself and those who did not have that blessing this: I will never for one day take it for granted.

When it is easy for me to picture God as my father, when I experience a healthy relationship with men and particularly my husband, when I still go for advice to the man who has always pointed me toward God, I will remember what I have been given and live my life in gratitude. My dad will have my love, respect and time, my children's wonderful father will have my respect and my guidance and example in teaching his children to be grateful for what they have in him, my father-in-law will have my undying gratitude that his son has watched and learned from him the kind of father to be. My grandfathers, uncles, family, friends, men at church, and now my brother and brother-in-law should all know that there is nothing more valuable an irreplaceable than the role they play in the lives of their children, and that I am so grateful for their dedication to God and to their families. So my thanks and a heart full of love to Dad, Da, Papa, Martin, and John - my father, grandfathers, father-in-law, and the amazing father of my children. You are amazing men, and I thank God for you!

Here are these great dads/grandfathers:

Little John's wonderful dad

My great dad, otherwise known as Grandpa

John's fix-it master dad, otherwise known as Poppie

My Da

My Papa

John's Grandy who went to be with Jesus last year - we miss him!