The Present of Presence

The Presence of a Father

My daddy was sitting in his garden alone talking to someone. I was too far away to hear the words, but I noted variance in his voice. I heard softness and laughter. And as my daddy walked toward the house, I knew there had also been tears.

You see, my daddy’s father passed away last year, and life hasn’t been the same. Daddy talked and visited with his parents regularly, picking them up for doctor visits or randomly dropping by for lunch. When Papa died, it left a huge hole in my daddy’s life—a hole only his father could fill.

Watching my daddy in the garden talking to his dad in heaven made me think about the importance of a father’s presence. They hold a place in our lives no one else can fill. Protector. Advisor. Advocate. Defender. Comforter. Provider. Fixer. Friend. Good fathers love their children well and take care of all they need, often providing above and beyond when possible. They take their responsibility to heart and seek to make their children’s lives easier than theirs.

My papa was a good father. So is my daddy. And their presence is irreplaceable.

Our Father’s Presence

I know my daddy talks to his Heavenly Father often, too. In the garden, in his truck, on the porch, in his chair, in almost all situations. Do you know how I know? Because his life looks different. He has peace when the howling winds are raging, and his boat is being bashed and battered. He has joy even when the news doesn’t look great. And he has a faith that remains solid as he reminds himself and others of God’s continued faithfulness.

My daddy understands the value of God’s presence in his life. And do you know who else understood that? My papa. Good fathers look to the Good Father and teach their children to do the same. I’m grateful for these men recognizing God’s presence and teaching the next generation to follow suit.

Being Present with Our Father

My daddy left early for work each day when I was a kid. He always had his worn bible on the dashboard of his little truck. I asked him why he kept it up there and he told me he sat in his truck before work each morning and read it. I’ve never forgotten that. My daddy not only understood the importance of God’s presence, but also of being present with God.

You see, we can recognize our Heavenly Father’s presence all around, but if we don’t take time to be present each day with him, we will never truly know him. Just like my dad spent time with his earthly father, talking and visiting, he too, spends time with his Heavenly Father, talking and visiting. If we are to truly learn to appreciate the presence of God, we must practice being present with him, too.

Our Father’s Presents

My parents have been cleaning through the belongings of my grandparents’ home. There is so much stuff that was left behind—but that’s not what my daddy holds onto when he thinks about his dad. He holds onto his presence. Their special moments and conversations. Trips down the river. Lessons learned as they walked side by side. His presence has become my daddy’s biggest present.

The same is true of his Heavenly Father. My daddy has seen some seasons of hardship in this life, but God’s sweetest present has been the gift of his presence.  Through thick and thin, up and down—God has always been faithful.

As we have recently celebrated Father’s Day, I’m so thankful for the presence of good fathers. But I’m even more thankful for the present of God’s presence in our lives. And how can we make sure we get more of his presence? Just like my daddy has modeled all these years—be present in God’s presence, and the effects will trickle down into the lives of the ones we love the most.

 

All photos from Canva

© Christy Bass Adams, June 2022

Christy Bass Adams

Christy Bass Adams, is the Outreach and Connections Coordinator at Fellowship Baptist Church in Madison, Florida. She is also a writer and had her first devotional book published in summer of 2022 (Big Lessons from Little People) followed by a middle grades novel (Imagination Checkers) in the fall. Her most important role, however, is with her family as a wife of 18 years and mother to two busy boys. She worked in education for over 18 years at both the elementary and collegiate levels. Her favorite pastimes are fishing and sitting around a fire. For more from Christy, visit her blog at christybassadams.com.

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