A PERFECT FATHER

By Dennis Harworth

Father’s Day, usually the third Sunday in June, can be a day full of a wide range of emotions.  It is designed to be a holiday of honoring fatherhood, as well as the fatherly influence of the men who fill the gap as “fathers to the fatherless”.  For me, it is the most difficult emotional day of the year.  My father died when I was a teenager and I miss him greatly.  As a child and a teen we seldom appreciate our fathers.  I fully expected that my Dad would watch me grow up, but then he was gone.  Although he was far from perfect, I have many fond memories of him.  He was a gentle, loving and kind man, dedicated to providing for his family.  His wisdom imparted to me during that short period of time still is prevalent in my life today.

Having a loving father is wonderful, but I did not know the true happiness of fatherhood until I became a father myself.  Words cannot describe the pleasure of seeing my daughters born and turn into the most beautiful, smart, and talented women.  I love them and I am so proud of them.  However, as life happened we became estranged and they chose to have nothing to do with me.  Wanting to be a part of their lives and have them reject me makes Father’s Day a time of deep sorrow with a heart that hurts.  That is until I think about my Heavenly Father and have the opportunity to know Him more intimately.

Let me tell you about my Heavenly Father.  Oh, He loves me more than I can imagine with an everlasting love.  He cares for me and watches over me so closely that He even keeps track of the hairs on my head and thinks about me more than the grains of sand on every shore.  He daily gives me life and guides and guards me every step of the way.  He is always there for me and faithfully forgives and cleanses my every wrong; no matter what I have done.  He is my refuge and strength, always ready to help me when adversaries, adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, or trouble comes against me.  He disciplines me because He loves me and wants the best for me; not to control me.  

My Heavenly Father heals my broken heart and heals all my diseases.  He richly provides for my every need, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and as well as relationally with the most wonderful relationships that have surpassed my wildest dreams.  He blesses me with gifts, talents, and abilities to enjoy this amazing life He has given me – infinitely beyond my highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, and dreams.  My Heavenly Father will keep each and every promise of His Word for He will never, ever, lie to me; nor leave me or forsake me.

Most importantly of all, my Heavenly Father displayed His generous and extravagant love by sending His Son Jesus to suffer and die in my place to pay the debt of all my wrongdoings and bring me into an abundant and eternal relationship with Him.  There is nothing I can do to make Him love me more.  There is nothing I have done that would make Him love me less.  My Heavenly Father truly loves me unconditionally!

As a believer, all these statements are yours as well.  Your Heavenly Father loves you with an everlasting, unfailing love.  So let this Father’s Day cause you to draw intimately closer to Him and to personally know Him as A PERFECT FATHER.