Father’s Day

Picnics and cookouts, going out to dinner and homemade presents … Father’s Day means so much to do many people but for some…

Father’s Day can be a painful reminder of the poor relationship that they have or had with their dad. Abandonment, abuse, rejection are all deep rooted issues that can really make it hard to not only celebrate Father’s Day but also make it harder to have a positive image of “father” when connecting with God.

Scrolling Facebook yesterday, it’s hard not to be bombarded by all the pots and pictures celebrating all the best dads. We are not limited by our past or by our relationships with others no matter what has happened. Period. Jesus shows us again and again in His time on earth that He always had compassion for those that didn’t always fit in with the rest of the world. The broken, the ill, the tax collectors, the outcast and sinful. Jesus has compassion and so does God. Jesus was the best at showing the nature and love of God here on earth. I’ve worked hard to see God as a father, and it helps me now that I call him Papa. (From The Shack—an idea that I borrowed from my health coach, Patrick.)

How do you see God as Father or Papa? Do you see Him through the eyes of broken relationship? If so, it’s okay to acknowledge that to Him because He does care so so much. it is also okay to remember that we have the eyes and heart of Christ which means we get to grab onto our inheritance and claim victory over areas in our lives that need healing. When I needed extra support, I started therapy with a Christian therapist. Now, I’m finally at a point where I can take control of my thoughts through Holy Spirit and scripture. It helped that I started working on forgiveness and healing- and also started looking for more positive images of men and fathers.

“I suppose that since most of our hurts come through relationships so will our healing, and I know that grace rarely makes sense for those looking in from the outside”

Paul Young, The Shack

My prayer today is that we all see God’s love for what it is a priceless gift that we totally deserve and need. It’s a love that heals and empowers… and spreads to others because you just can’t keep it to yourself.