Father's Day.
This can be a most difficult Sunday, can't it.
The father / child relationship is often fraught with complexities and unresolved misunderstandings. Unprocessed emotions and severe losses from decades ago cast shadows that hover in the background of our minds. Regrets linger long and too easily take up permanent residence in our wounded, scarred identities.
For those who were left feeling like they were either too much ... or never enough, it's a holiday that unearths a harsh sadness or a dull kind of pain or twinges of unexpected anger, a grieving that never seems to completely diminish.
That's why I want us to consider our Heavenly Father today. For unlike any earthly relationship, His fathering has always been kind and steady and tenderly powerful. He has never changed like shifting shadows. Even in our darkest moments, He has never abandoned His children.
Oh God, it's in the fragile seasons that You meet us strong. It's when we feel misunderstood or broken or abandoned that we run and hide in the warm shelter of Your arms.
You're a good good Father.
You show us mercy and grace, that unmerited favor. You don't hold our sins to our faces, You forgive and remove them from us forever. You see our inmost intentions, whether messy or holy ... and You remind us that we're not defined by our sins, but by who we are in Jesus Christ.
You're a good good Father. That's who You are.
You whisper that every last thing we yearn for is found in Jesus Christ alone. You gently remind us to stop endlessly looking to others for comfort, for they are often wounded themselves and unable or unwilling to go there. Your compassions are new and fresh every morning, our frailties are gently laid to the side. You make us strong.
You're a good good Father. And I'm loved by You.
Our critics are daunted, powerless to control who we are as You, the Lover of our souls, protect the very essence of our beings. Even through sadness, disappointment, frustration, or fear, our inmost places are protected from the harmful words or callous insensitivity of others.
You're a good good Father. And I'm loved by You. That's who I am.
You welcome us with open arms. You don't walk out the door and leave us alone and defenseless with all our broken messiness. We lean hard into You, we rededicate our life's intentions to Your sacred pleasure. We purposefully seek You for we know full well that we are weary and needy.
You're a good good Father. You're perfect in all of Your ways to us.
It's in You that we find perfect rest for our restless souls.
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Good post today, Linda. Thanx. Fond memories of my relationship with my parents who sacrificed a lot for their children.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Yes, Victor, for those of us who've been blessed with healthy relationships with our parents, this is a day of fond memories.
DeleteSabbath blessings to you and yours on this very foggy morn!
ReplyDeleteThinking about, and missing, my earthly father today, Linda. I'm so thankful for the everlasting arms of my heavenly Father that never let go of me.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I'm with you, Martha. I am missing my daddy too, these days ...
DeleteLiving in and holding on to this good, good truth.
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful way to put it, Michele! I hope you're having a wonderful celebration with your family this afternoon ...
DeleteWe did -- sweetened by the understanding that even this great gift is fleeting. Year by year, we receive or we relinquish by grace.
Delete'Relinquish by grace.'
DeleteI need to remember that line, friend. So much freedom in living that out ...
Thank you....xx
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely beautiful. So thankful for our dear Heavenly Father who takes us up when our earthly parents are no longer with us and Who remains steady no matter what we do. He means everything to me!
ReplyDeleteThat steady loving presence is such a comfort, a deep solace, isn't it, Cheryl!
DeleteOne of my favorite worship songs Linda. I have a plaque our worship leaders gave me with the chorus hand printed on a piece of wood one of their children made. I rejoice in a good, good Father.
ReplyDeleteThat plaque surely is worth its weight in gold, yes? My heart is always touched when I hear how you and your congregation love each other, Bill ...
DeleteHe is indeed a Good, good Father! Happy week to you dear Linda. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteYou always spread sunshine, Cindy!
DeleteThis is one of my favorite songs. I didn't have an earthly father that loved me, but boy, I'm thankful my heavenly Father is crazy about me!
ReplyDeleteNicki, I am truly sorry about your earthly father.
DeleteI'm praising God how beautifully you speak of how deeply our Heavenly Papa adores you ...
That's one of my favorite songs about God. I'm so grateful to have him as my Dad!
ReplyDeleteAmen!
DeleteOh what a good, good Father we have! One of my favorite songs!
ReplyDeleteA soothing song of worship, trust, hope ...
DeleteI was singing this yesterday! He is a good, good Father - and I've spent a lifetime learning what that meant - and letting him heal the broken places because of a dad who walked away. God is so good!
ReplyDeletePraising God with you, Maryleigh, for the healing in those broken places.
DeleteHe never leaves, never forsakes ...
Linda, what a beautiful post for Father's Day. This, especially, jumped out at me this afternoon: "You gently remind us to stop endlessly looking to others for comfort, for they are often wounded themselves and unable or unwilling to go there." I'm glad His reminders about this are gentle, because I need them often.
ReplyDeleteYes, we never stop yearning for that deep spiritual comfort and solace. Oh the time we have wasted yearning for another human to meet those needs ...
DeleteAmen! Thanks for sharing. Many blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteYou, too!
DeleteAt CR, one participant always introduces herself as a daughter of the King who has one perfect Parent. I love that...having a perfect Father is the best thing going.
ReplyDeleteI will forever love CR, Carol!
Deletehttps://www.celebraterecovery.com/
It's true that so many suffer during the dedicated father and mother holidays for so many different reasons. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful tribute to our Father in Heaven, and how his love for us is always a constant. I was blessed with a wonderful earthly father, and I am so grateful, but I know many who do not have that blessing. And your sweet words today minister to those hearts who hurt. Many blessings to you dear friend!
ReplyDeleteYou gave a tender heart, friend, for those who are hurting ...
DeleteThis holiday can be a beast.
What a perfect Father's Day post, Linda! Earthly fathers will fall short of perfection. They get tired, irritable, frustrated...they are human. Our Heavenly Father is loving always. He is a good good father.
ReplyDeleteFor sure, Laurie, we all fall short of who we were shaped to be, especially in our family relationships! No wonder we need a Savior ...
DeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteI love this song and what a beautiful devotion for those of us who hurt on some of these Hallmark holidays. Thank you for pointing to our gracious Abba, Daddy who loves us with a tender yet furious love. He is so much greater than even the best fathers we know here on earth. Loved this post!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, I think there's alot more pain and sadness connected with these holidays (or most holidays) than we care to admit. It's a healing realization when we understand that we're in very good company in those tender places that hurt to the touch ...
DeleteHe is a good, good father. What a good post for Father's Day.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you dropped in, Theresa ...
DeleteI am grateful and blessed to have had a good father....I appreciate him (and the blessing a good father is) more all the time! But what a wonderful time - on Father's Day - to acknowledge and give thanks for My Good Heavenly Father! To be His child - loved, provided for and tenderly watched over by Jesus Christ!!
ReplyDeleteGrateful and blessed, yes, indeed, Jennifer! Well spoken.
DeleteAhhh, Linda. I love the truths you bring out about our good good Father. He truly is all encompassing and amazing in how completely He loves us. I'm thankful He is steadfast and unchanging.
ReplyDeleteAmen, friend ...
DeleteI love what you said about God being all encompassing.
That hit home in the loveliest of ways.
Thank you for pointing us to the Father. I have found such peace in knowing I am loved deeply by God especially after my dad passed away. Blessings, my friend!
ReplyDelete