Faithful Father

The love of God, my faithful Father, goes way beyond feelings. I will seek His presence day and night, so I might one day understand. . .

And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  ~ Ephesians 3:18, NLT

The gift and the Giver

My father and mother lived the faith I have today. They loved life and chose faith above fear or any family trial or heartache they endured. They learned how to breathe deep and share the truth of each life-giving breath with their children.

Dad often said, “When I was a little boy, your grandma told me God was always with us, and to this day I believe it.” He’d sometimes refer to God as ‘The man upstairs’ or ‘My buddy, Jesus’ as if he wanted my sister and me to know we could pray or just talk to Jesus or His Father, God, any time.

Whether we walked across bustling city streets, along northern sandy beaches, or woodland paths, Dad always held my hand. “Stay close to your mother and me,” he’d say. And somehow, my fears fled out of the shadows of darkness that fell around us from city buses, twisted maples, and giant waves.

Although my dad had a gentle and reassuring presence, I had no doubt that he’d conquer any monster that ever came our way.

In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have refuge. ~ Proverbs 23:22 ESV

Over the years, my family’s love led me to believe in God’s unwavering faithfulness, power, and promises. The realization that life is an everlasting gift still simmers like the best bowl of soup for my soul. And the magnitude of the gift? I still can’t fully comprehend.

Father’s Day with my men of a feather

Thoughts about Father’s Day and God’s love for me always lead to reminiscences of the day I met my husband and all the blessings we’ve treasured. His selflessness, faith, and kindness melted my heart as we raised four sons, welcomed two daughters in love, and now cherish four precious grandchildren.

Dennis and our sons are men of a feather. All may have differences in where or how they work or worship, but there’s one thing that binds them and seals them (and no, I don’t mean Pittsburgh Steelers football). It’s God, their Father, who has known them before they were in my womb (Jeremiah 1:5) and has held them since. No cathedral, church denomination, or team can say the same.

I’m beyond thankful we’ll all be together this weekend to celebrate Dennis’s milestone birthday, or what he calls another GRAVY birthday, because he’s so grateful to celebrate another year with us since his heart attack five years ago—and most of all, another Father’s Day.  

Our Heavenly Father’s love. . .

Dear friends,

If our Heavenly Father’s love for us goes beyond human understanding and lies solely in knowing the unseen Giver of no greater love, what if seeking time in God’s presence is the key to knowing love in all its truth? Can it be what matters most if we’re to find peace this side of heaven?

If you wonder about those things, like me, or you’re feeling weak or blinded by life’s circumstances, I get it. I’ve been there.

I’ve learned that a relationship with God can’t be based on my feelings. Our feelings are often like waves on the ocean. Truth, right?

God is constant. Unchanging. Forevermore.

Alone time seeking God through prayer can open the eyes of the sightless and strengthen the burdened. My Faithful Father has a mysterious way of imparting comfort and peace that surpasses all feelings, logic, and knowledge of immediate or future circumstances. His son Jesus died so we could know—and have—a Faithful Father of all that was, is, or ever will be.

Because I believe God’s comfort is unending; His love, unconditional and undeserved, and the kind that can change the world—I must continually try to squelch all worries of tomorrow. I’m not always successful, but I keep trying.

A good father doesn’t always take his child out of hard circumstances. At times, God is like a lighthouse, guiding us while we wade into deeper water, and then He swims beside us.

Let’s live in the proof of His presence and promise: I am with you always.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.  ~ Psalm 23:1

Father’s Day

Have you ever considered how seeking God’s presence can impact your journey? Don’t forget to join the conversation in the Inspire a Fire comments section below this post.

I’d love to hear from you. Look for me on the Dreamdove’s Flights of Fancy blog or my Dovestories website. See you on Instagram and FB too.

I wish you grace, blessings, and joy this Father’s Day. Seek His presence and you will find Him. And remember, heaven will be worth it all.

 ~ JC

Special Thanks: All free images from Pixabay ~ Feature: : Image by Stefan Schweihofer from Pixabay, #1Image by Shannon Lawford from Pixabay, #2 Image by Matthias Lipinski from Pixabay, #3 Image by Rainer Maiores from Pixabay.