“The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.”—Psalm 103:13 (NLT)
Today would have been my father’s 89th birthday. It is still hard for me to fathom he has been gone for nearly twenty years now (in November). I still miss him to this day. I think about how much he has missed out on with his grandchildren and now great grandchildren. He would have enjoyed them so much.
He was the glue that held the family together. Family was super important to him. He stepped in and up in mine and my children’s lives to help fill the void after my first husband John’s death. He didn’t think twice moving my son and I into the home I grew up in until I got back on my feet.
I knew when he passed the family dynamics would change with only my mother. They did. For her it wasn’t the same. She was okay with seeing her children and grandchildren a few times a year. This wasn’t the case with my dad. He thrived having us all together.
I see so many of my dad’s traits in my brothers. They too have careers in the automotive industry as well as 3 of his grandchildren. His strong work ethic was instilled in all of us and is now evident in the grandchildren. If you would have told me my son would have ended up in the car business I would have said, no way. But here is working for Toyota Motor Corporation and now living in Japan with his family for two years.
As young adults, my brothers and I may not have always gone to church, when we were younger, but my dad made sure we went. We were in Sunday school and youth group. Because we were raised in the church, all three of us did the same with our families. It is such a blessing to see my children plugged into a church with my grandchildren. I now know what my dad must have felt seeing his children doing it as well.
I realize how fortunate I was to have had a loving father and strong male role model in my life. Not everyone has had this experience. For those who may not have had this, you have a Heavenly Father whose love and compassion for you is greater than an earthly father could give you.
Psalm 103:13 tells us; The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. This connects my earthly experience with the perfect love of my Heavenly Father. Just as my dad showed compassion, God’s compassion is even deeper and more reliable. As great as my dad’s love was for me, God’s is even bigger.
Today as I remember my father, I cherish the good he left behind as his legacy as well as the compassion I received which ultimately points me to the perfect love of my Heavenly Father.
Father God,
Thank You for the gift of my earthly father. While he is no longer here with me, I am thankful for how he reflected Your love in his heart. I rest in the hope that one day we will be reunited together in Your presence. I lift those up to You who may be grieving the death of a loved one. May they feel Your loving arms around them. It is in the name of Jesus Christ I pray these things. Amen.
July Verse
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”—2 Corinthians 3:17
If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.