Father to the Fatherless

Happy Sunday!

Happy Father's Day!   William Ellery Channing said, "Every man is a volume if you know how to read him".   What a wonderful, powerful quote!  Today, I found myself refuting a young woman's comment about fathers.  OK, I will admit that I do speak up more often than not when someone proclaims something that is untrue.  She stated that most fathers are absent or dead-beat.  I refuse to believe that "most" is  appropriate even though my life experience has been littered with examples of bad fathers.  I encouraged her to consider that though there are many absent  fathers in her immediate surroundings, there are many more dedicated, loving, and present fathers that go unnoticed!  There are wonderful fathers, step-fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and "play" fathers doing the hard work everyday.

I never met my biological father, but I am blessed with the Best Daddy in the world, Perry A. Woods, Sr.   Yes, I spent many years waiting and hoping for a Cinderella styled rescue by my biological father.  That never happened, and will not happen since he has transitioned from this world to eternity.  God has been gracious to me, he has healed my broken heart. and has loved me unconditionally.  His Word has proven to me that he is the Ultimate Father.  He never leaves me, he never forsakes me, he loves me, and has a great plan for my life.  This understanding came in handy today.  While working in Children Church, assisting a younger class with making Father's Day Cards, a young girl said..."I don't know where my Daddy is.  He left my mother when I was still in her belly."  WOW!  This baby is 7 years old!  At 7, I was still being protected from the truth, and had no idea that my Daddy wasn't my daddy.  You know how in movies the character's life flashes before their eyes?  My life did today!  I could feel this child's pain.  Thank God for the Holy Spirit!  Quickly, I said, "That's OK!  You have the best Father now!  God is a good father and will never leave you!"  She smiled and said she would give the card to her grandfather.

If you ever do a daily Bible reading plan, you will undoubtedly run across many, many fathers.  There were fathers and kings that followed the ways of God, and there were those that were rebellious and disobedient.  Don't get stuck on the stories of the bad guys like the media does!  Look closer for the stories of the good guys!  Psalm 68:5 says, "A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation."(KJV).  If you still are blessed to have your father, or a father figure...love them well!  Show your appreciation.  If you are still struggling with "Daddy Issues", consider allowing the Word of God to comfort you.  We can't go back and change the bad decisions that others have made, but we do have the opportunity to change the way we think, and live.  We can be confident that we are complete in Christ!  Colossians 2:10 says, "So you have everything when you have Christ, and you are filled with God through your union with Christ. He is the highest Ruler, with authority over every other power."(Living Bible).  We can also rest in knowing that what concerns us concerns God.  We can trust him.

Psalm 139:14-18 says, " Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it. You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!  How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can’t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!"(Living Bible).

Love and prayers, Cynthia