Father's Day

Tomorrow is Sunday and it’s also Father’s Day.  Hallmark dictates that all fathers are great and loving.  Hallmark is sometimes correct but hand-made cards can be a great alternative.

Perhaps your father is no longer living. My father died in 1997.  I will celebrate him in memory.  Tomorrow would also have been his 89^th birthday.  I have great memories of how much we loved one another and I know that one day I’ll see him again.  If your father is no longer living, I pray that you can also celebrate the day from your bank of good memories.

But what if you are a single mom and Monday morning can’t arrive quickly enough? Your children have a good relationship with their dad, but you don’t.   

How will you welcome in the day? Will your children spend it with their father, leaving you alone to wonder about their time away from you? Will you allow Satan to fire his lethal darts of insecurity? Ask God now to give you wisdom for how you should spend your time. You can spend the day with your head under the pillow allowing untrue thoughts to take up residence or you can get up and say, ‘This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.’ (Psalm 118:24)  

 ‘The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.’ (1 Kings 10:24)  Seek God now and ask Him to give you wisdom so you will have a productive day while the kids are elsewhere.  Solomon could have asked God for anything, but he asked for wisdom.  Being a wise and loving God, He blessed Solomon with both wisdom and riches.

Today, I think differently about my children’s father. I’ve searched God for answers to the questions that will ultimately make me a stronger and healthier mother for my adult children. My past marital relationship with their dad is over but my parental relationship with him will never be over. God is always helping me to think clearly.   

Are you a single mom with children whose father is not involved?  I’m told that time leading up to and the day itself can become enormously difficult for a child that is disconnected from their dad.

One such mom, after watching her child become emotionally crushed by his absence, developed some coping mechanisms. Now, ahead of time, she informs the dad what to expect in a card or gift and he agrees to call and thank his child. She tells me that the day is not so much about celebrating Father’s Day as it is about the dad acknowledging that he’s a father (to this child). Bottom-line, the child can feel good about their intentions and receive acknowledgment from the man that Hallmark tells us is the best dad on earth.

And, what about those Father’s Day cards? Hallmark dictates that all fathers are great and loving. For the child that craves to have a fabulous dad, but momentarily does not, hand-made cards are a safe choice. With computer programs, even adult kids can craft just the right one.

What do I know today?
1. God’s grace is bigger than any human mistake.
2. I am blessed with loving adult sons that God allowed their father and I to have.
3. I'm glad that my sons love their father.
4. I was once happily married to their father.
5. God has humbled me.

I’ve spent a lot of time seeking God about my past. Through His healing powers I have peace and security knowing that my sons can call upon God, and He will answer them regarding any challenges they've had or will have with their parents. And, so can yours. 

Let’s pray. Abba, Father, thank you that as we think about our earthly fathers, we honor You as the Father who never changes, never leaves us and the One we can always depend upon no matter what else is happening in our life.  Thank you for sending your son Jesus to die for our sins. As a Father, that sent His son to the cross for us, Your love is unfathomable. We have all fallen short and we know that Your grace is sufficient for anything we are dealing with today.  Let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayers of Your servants. We delight in revering Your name. Give each person here success by granting them wisdom to deal lovingly with any circumstances surrounding earthly fathers. In Jesus’ strong name I pray. Amen

Until next time~

Blessings, Nancy