In Honor of Father's Day

Dear Reader,

I know I won't have the as much time to write tomorrow as I would like, so I thought I would write my Father's Day entry a little early.

Father's Day for me has always been bittersweet. I don't think I will ever forget the father-daughter dance that my church did a few years ago that I wrote about in a previous entry here, as well as some of my story. As I came outside to the deck today to read and write a while, God highlighted a specific part in a passage of scripture that I will never think the same about again. I do not know the relationship you have with your father, if your father was never in your life, or is no longer in your life. The scripture that struck me so today was one I've heard before...many times.

Jesus is teaching his followers how to pray in Matthew 6.

What does that prayer begin with?

Our Father...

I don't know what comes to your mind, dear reader, but as I started thinking about this more and more this picture came to mind as though Jesus were saying...

As you enter into His throne room in Heaven with prayers and praises, declaring His name as Holy...that His will be put before your own...and that He would provide every need...and would forgive you while showing you how to forgive others...while being protected from the wicked ways of the world and conquering the battles you face...and saying His Kingdom reigns and will reign forever-

see Him as Father.

If I could only begin to write all of His names. But one thing I encourage you to see is that through the life of Jesus, there is the ultimate relationship between a Father and Son. No matter where you have been in your life, where you are going, there is One that is always with you throughout it all. He will never leave (Deuteronomy 31:6). He will provide (Luke 12:31). He will forgive (Psalm 30:4-5). He will care (1 Peter 5:7). He will show you the secrets of life (Jeremiah 33:3). He will protect (Psalm 91:14-16). He will teach (Proverbs 13:11-14). He will love (1 John 4:8).

Take the time out to say thank you and love on the Godly father figures in your life, whether they are biological or not. Most importantly, recognize the Father that brought them into your life and gave you the life you are living today.

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

-Matthew 6:9-13

Happy Father's Day

:)