If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Fathers have tremendous responsibility on their shoulders. The good ones understand this and act accordingly, with duty and strength. They work hard to provide and protect, to support sacrificially. 

My dad was and is all the above. I remember his work ethic.  I remember all the fun trips and outings.  I remember the sacrifices so that we can have a good life. 

But what I remember most and has had the biggest impact in my life has not just been his duty and responsibility. It has been his love, acceptance, and forgiveness. 

I recently came across a box of letters and printed out emails from a time in my young adulthood when I was making unwise choices. Those that were inconsistent with my Christian upbringing. I don’t know or even remember my side of the letters or emails. All I have is one-sided. My behavior and choices were hurtful to my parents, who had taught me diligently the ways of the LORD. Yet, what I read in those letters reflected the unconditional love, patience, and kindness of my dad. But also that gentle rebuke and correction. Not once or twice.   I am his daughter. Nothing would change that. He wanted the best for me, not what was tolerable or mediocre. He (along wth my mom) relentlessly prayed, loved, and sought the best for me. 

Not everyone has a father like mine. My own dad didn’t. He didn’t learn how to be a father from his earthly one. He learned it from the experience he had with the greatest Father of all time. What he did not receive from his biological father, he received perfectly from the Heavenly Father. That is the beauty of this redemptive story. Because of this, he was able to give what he was given. Maybe your dad wasn’t or isn’t the greatest. Maybe, instead of loving, he is hurtful. Maybe you never knew him. But, there IS a perfect Father. He can love you patiently and kindly. He will always be there for you. He will provide for you and protect you. He will discipline you when you are headed onto a harmful path and lead you back to safe pastures. He will never reject you, but forgive you and accept you with all grace. 

Our Heavenly Father:

Is patient

“The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Is kind

“I am the Lord God. I am merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love.” Exodus 34:6

Is forgiving

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Is always there

“…I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b

Will love you forever

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?.. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35, 38-39

Dear Believer, 

This Father’s Day, there may be mixed emotions. In this life, we are placed in families that are dysfunctional and less than ideal. Praise the LORD for the godly fathers out there. May you fathers continue to grow in love and grace. May the LORD strengthen you and provide you with the wisdom to lead your families in the way of the LORD. It is no easy task. We need more of you in this world. 

For those who struggle with the fathers in your own lives, use that disappointment to point you toward the Father who is perfectly good in all His ways. May you find in Him the love, value, forgiveness, and acceptance you need. 

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107:8-9

The Lord be with you, 

Bianca