Our Father’s Love

The love of my good, good father…

With Father’s Day right around the corner, I’m reminded of my dad and how he always held my mother’s hand while our family walked in the park. His ear-to-ear smile proved he was right where he wanted to be—even when her high-heel sandals clanked against the sidewalk, alarming hungry pigeons and crows. Although my parents gave my sister and me the freedom to skip or run ahead to chat with my cousins or friends, we always remained within our father’s site—even when I pretended to be a brave explorer. His eye never wavered from us. Maybe that’s why there isn’t a day that goes by without a thought of him. How blessed we were to know the depth of our father’s love.

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

Dad’s love for fun

Every evening, after story time, dad and mom kneeled beside my sister and my bedside. They began and ended their prayers with words of thanks sandwiched between genuine requests for safety, health, and provision. Occasionally, dad slipped in a request for oatmeal cookies. My mother would nudge him and give him a wide-eyed glare, which always led to lots of muffled girlie giggles.

Father’s gigantic heart

My father’s generosity extended way beyond the needs of my mom or my sisters. He never minded the long commutes from NYC to the upstate mountains so mom could spend the summer gardening and entertaining friends while my sister and I hiked, explored meadows, and swam in frigid streams. Yes. Indeed. Love overflowed from my father’s gigantic heart.

The goodness and love of our father

Dad’s love of the outdoors encouraged and nurtured meaningful relationships with us, extended family and friends, colleagues—and especially God. While I enjoyed our hikes and wildlife searches, his friends and nephews knew him as a genuine sportsman. He’d often joke about how God was busy preparing a cabin on a mountaintop in heaven for him. If I close my eyes, I still see his smile. Over the years, I’ve learned some of the best legacy stories are those of self-sacrificing, goodness, and selflessness. My father left us so much more than earthly treasure when he passed away. He left his family a legacy of love and integrity. But this story is not only about my dad. It’s about how everything he did always pointed to his heavenly Father’s love for us. Jesus’s sacrifice—our Father’s love.

Men after God’s heart

In addition to living life with a wonderful earthly father, my husband is also an incredible blessing to our four sons and a sweet grandpap to grandchildren. He’s a man who follows God’s heart and has lived as an example of integrity for our family. Like his father before him, his way always pointed to the love of the heavenly father, God—and his Son, Jesus. I’m thankful we’re given priceless memories and wow moments that override tragedies or devastating events that threaten to steal, kill, or destroy our life stories. Together, all these things can strengthen us and become examples of how all things work for the good of those who love the Lord. Let’s hold on to that truth of our Father’s love. This Father’s Day, I hope to reminisce about all our mountain hikes, family barbeques, and memorable vacations. Picnics in the park have a way of staying with us long after we’ve nibbled the last piece of Swiss or watched our boys spit the last watermelon seed at a sibling on the other side of the blanket.

Happy Father’s Day

Dear friends, as Father’s Day draws near, I’m reminded never to forget “dad” stories. Soon enough, one of my sons will take on the storyteller gift their dad leaves behind. For now, I’ll share. Although we could discard the dreary details and only hold on to the happy seasons of our lives, I believe each chapter matters.

Wouldn’t it be great if each made someone laugh or smile later, especially in seasons of trials or sadness? This Father’s Day and every day, may we find joy and peace in our Father’s love.

Do you have fond memories of your dad? Don’t forget to join the conversation here in the Inspire a Fire comments section below this post. May all our praise be for God’s glory.  ~ Joann

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Special thanks: All free use images from Pixabay. Feature image: RitaE, #1 jplenio, #2 Couleur, #3 Gillila (Rubin Gal)