A Father's Love
When I was a little girl I remember running to the top of the stairs when I heard my father’s car pull into the driveway. I would wait for him to walk through the front door and as soon as I saw him I would launch myself from the top of the stairs into his arms. There were times he was carrying things in his arms or had a million things running through his mind – but I never even hesitated or worried that he wouldn’t catch me. He was my dad – he wouldn’t let anything happen to me, right?
Well, he never did drop me, but there were a few times that the groceries weren’t so lucky. As I grew up, I still looked to Dad to be my safety. In fact, I fooled myself into believing that as long as I could “hide” behind my father, nothing could happen to me. I believed that God’s favor would still fall on me because I was under my dad’s protection.
Then in January 2002, my whole world came crashing down. I received a phone call from my brother. He said, “Dad just had a heart attack. You need to get to the hospital right away.” Once the test results came back, the doctors informed us that he had six clogged arteries – he needed to have open heart surgery. After surgery, they rolled my dad into intensive care. One by one we were allowed to go and see him. When I walked through the door I saw my dad lying there, hooked up to a room full of machines. His skin was gray, and he looked as if he was already dead.
I thought, This can’t be him. This can’t be my dad. My father lights up the room when he walks in. He’s the one who protects me. He’s the one who comforts me. This can’t be him.
But it was! As I drove home I began pleading with God. “PLEASE DO NOT TAKE MY FATHER FROM ME! YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO ME!” After a few moments I heard, “But what about my heart? What are you doing to me? Do you not know how much I love you?”
My heart felt like it had shattered into a million pieces. I got out of the car, fell to my knees and cried out to God, “Forgive me, Father. All I am, all I have, is yours!”
What was I doing? Here I was looking to my earthly father to be my comforter and protector. While my dad does love me and would do anything to keep me safe, my Heavenly Father loves me even more and reaches down from heaven so that I may have eternal life. He says,
"I am your greatest encourager. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17) I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. (Psalm 34:18) As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. ( Isaiah 40:11) One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. (Revelation 21:3-4) And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. (Revelation 21:3-4) I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. (John 17:23) For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. (John 17:26) His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. (1 John 4:10) I have always been Father, and will always be Father. (Ephesians 3:14-15) My question is…Will you be my child? (John 1:12-13) I am waiting for you." (Luke 15:11-32)
Love, Your Dad.
Almighty God
Now that is A Father’s Love! I am truly blessed! I have an earthly father that I love and adore and a Heavenly Father that loves me more than the earth He created. WOW! I love you, Dad – thank you for who you are and who you taught me to be. And I love you, Heavenly Daddy – may I be a light that shines for you and always bring you Glory, Honor, and Praise!
Happy Father’s Day!
Shawn-Marie Cole
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