[God said] “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters” (2 Corinthians 6:18 NIV).
When I was a little girl, my father spent most of his waking hours working at his building supply company, observing construction sites, and socializing with his colleagues and associates. Even though his place of business was only a few blocks from our home, his heart was miles away in a place I could not find.
My father didn’t drink alcohol every day, but when he did, it consumed him. Dad was filled with a rage that always seemed to be hiding just beneath the surface of his tough skin. And when he drank, that rage spewed out like hot lava onto those around him. Unfortunately, my mother was the most common target. As a child, many nights I crawled into bed, pulled the covers tightly under my chin or even over my head, and prayed that I would quickly fall asleep to shut out the noise of my parents yelling, fighting, and hitting.
I was afraid of my father. Even when he was sober, I kept my distance. At the same time, I observed how other daddies cherished their little girls. I saw them cuddle their daughters in their laps, hold their hands while walking in the park, or kiss their cheeks as they dropped them off at school in the mornings. And while I wasn’t fatherless, I felt as though I was. Deep in my heart, I had a dream. I dreamed that one day I would have a daddy who loved me—not because I was pretty or made good grades or could play the piano well, but just because I was his.
Then one day, the dream came true. I discovered that I did have a Father who loved me…and so do you. God is your Heavenly Father who loves you unconditionally, provides for you unreservedly, and protects you unceasingly.
In the New Testament, Jesus called God by the name Father more than any other name. He also invites us to do the same. Think about that for a moment. [tweetherder]The God of the universe who created the heavens and the earth; who always has been and always will be; who is all-knowing, all-powerful, and present everywhere at once—that same God invites you to call Him Abba, Father![/tweetherder]
When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He said:
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. . . .” (Matthew 6:6-9, italics added)
My friend, Gayle has a granddaughter named Carlie. One day Carlie and her best friend were sitting in the back seat of Gayle’s car. Carlie and this little friend were born on the same day, and their moms were in hospital rooms right beside each other. Not only that, the two girls lived in the same apartment complex. One difference was that Carlie’s friend never knew her father. Her mom had boyfriends that came and went through the years, but never a real dad.
When Gayle kept Carlie on the weekends, sometimes her best friend came along. One day, Gayle had both girls in the back seat when she was running an errand. They were about five-years-old at the time. And just out of the blue, Carlie’s little friend said, “I wish I had a daddy like you have a daddy.”
And Carlie said, “Oh you do have a daddy.”
“No I don’t. I want a daddy like you have a daddy. I wish I had a daddy.”
“But you do have a daddy,” Carlie answered back. “We all have a daddy. God is our daddy. He’s everybody’s daddy.”
Gayle looked in her rearview mirror and saw Carlie’s friend hold up her hands in exasperation.
“Why has nobody every told me this!”
How precious! I have a daddy. You have a daddy. God is your Father and He loves you more than you could ever know. You, my friend, are the apple of Your Daddy’s eye (Psalm 17:8 NIV).
Let’s Pray
Father, thank You for adopting me into Your family. How blessed I am to have a Father who loves me unconditionally, cares for me unceasingly, and provides for me lavishly. I love You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
What do You Think?
Look up the following verses and note what you learn about being a child of God.
John 1:12-13
Philippians 2:15
Describe the difference between the actions and emotions of an orphan and a child of a King.
Which reflects your life the most?
Want More?
I don’t know about you, but for most of us, life doesn’t usually turn out the way we had hoped. Broken dreams litter life. But here’s the good news! God has a purpose and a plan. HE has a more amazing plan for you than you ever imagined. If you have lost sight of your dreams, grab onto God’s hand and travel to a place you thought you’d never find. The dreams God had planned for you all along. I’m offering a special offer to my blog readers for the month of April. Buy 1 copy of 5 Dreams of Every Woman..and how God Wants to Fulfill Them and get one free. When you purchase 1 copy, we’ll ship you 2. It won’t show up on your receipt, but 2 will show up in your package. This is only for the month of April. Only for my blog readers.
Comments 17
Thank you, Sharon. Your story about your earthly father is very close to mine. It is always an encouragement to me to hear of others that have been brought through this victoriously because of our heavenly Father.
This warmed my heart, and I have shared it with two dear friends who are in the midst of discouraging circumstances. I recently met a young woman who confided this past weekend she feels very keenly the loss of a parent. I will share it with her, too.
I’d love to take advantage of your special order, but can’t find the button for Dreams of a Woman on your bookstore. Did I miss it? I see the updated book with study guide…
Please help?
I cannot understand what these verses are supposed to be telling me, except perhaps that from John 12:1, as a daughter of God I am here to serve the sons of God while they relax (of course, husbands will love that).
From Philippians 2:15, I got that Christians must look perfect to those who aren’t saved.
I don’t believe either of those statements are true, but maybe I’m being selfish and lazy?
Having said that, I truly appreciate those personal stories. I grew up several states away from my blood-father, who never called, wrote, or visited. I always yearned for a daddy like all my friends (and the bullies) had. My friends never made fun of me for it, but bullies liked to tell me that even my own dad didn’t want me. I could not understand why God made me live, since my life was just a burden to my single mom, who worked 2 or 3 jobs at a time to support us. Then, when I was 12, she married my stepdad, and our lives were transformed. It took me a long time and a lot of counseling for me to understand that a male adult could actually care for me for me (I was molested as a child for a long time). I have finally come to understand how God loves me, but it is still very hard for me to accept sometimes.
Your devotional was “God sent” to me today, again confirming God’s timing is perfect. Just yesterday my 3 year old grandson told my husband he was sad during one of their bedtime talks. When he inquired as to why, he said because he didn’t have a daddy like his friends. We all struggled for the right words. Our grandson and his mommy (our single-parent daughter) live with us. Today I receive your email. Thank you so much.
I was blessed by your post today. I have been fortunate to have an amazing earthly father who was loving, supportive and kind through my childhood, and has become one of my best friends as an adult. As he prepares to close his chapter on earth due to pancreatic cancer that will take his life in coming months, he and I have had many wonderful conversations about the love of our Heavenly Father. The introduction to my faith is one of the best gifts my father could have given me. While I am frequently sad at the notion of losing my earthly father some day soon, the reminder that he will be with the Heavenly Father who loves me even more is of great comfort.
I am just curious if your earthly Dad ever came to know the Lord and if your relationship with him was ever any different than what you described?
Yes he did. He came to know Christ when I was 20. Amazing story!
My Dad passed away about 4 weeks ago. As Daddy’s only girl and his always princess I am missing him terribly! It does not help that God in his infinite wisdom decided 6 months ago to call my Mom home first who was also my best friend. Today I was missing them both so much and your devotion spoke volumes to me. Thank you!
for God is Jealous, Compassionate and Loves Whole Heartedly
Not knowing who my father was and being taken away from my mother at 2 1/2, growing up in differnt foster homes I was so happy and suprised to learn about 10 years ago that I do have a Father that loves me. This lifted me from a time of great despair. I am 62, but hey it’s never too late to turn your life around. Physically I still spend alot of time alone, but spiritually I am surrounded with a love I never knew before!
Thanks so much sharon for this wonderful story. it just reminded me of my thots towards God this morning. He is a merciful father, who is ever loving, always forgiving and forever faithful to me and above all, always protecting. He is such an awesome father to me, and i love Him so greatly.
I shared this devotion with a ladies group recently. Boy did it stir up some feelings and thought about how God could do this for others.
Thanks.
Hi all, thanks Sharon for brief, is very nice to read and imagine how nice it feels to be loved by an earthly father and even better by out Heavenly Father. Am 38 yrs never experienced the love of an earthly father and mum died when I was 9 yrs and so practically had to over please others atleast to feel loved. Over the years dreamings not coming true and struggle after struggle left me more broken. Now being single and having no kids kills me inside . I love God but sometimes I don’t feel His love as my Father, can’t understand . Please pray for me.
I pray for all mums on GiG, that God will give us the grace never to fail Him over our family. It’s a great task no doubt to be the kind of mums God wants us to be, but with God as our strengths, we’ll finish well in Jesus name. Amen.
Thank you for your devotion on mother’s. I will be praying for the mothers not only this month, but going forward.
God bless.
Happy mother’s day to Sharon and all moms. I pray for peace and prosperity for all moms. May 12th. is mother’s day. May GOD’s Peace and Favor be with us all. Love your articles keep them coming.
Rhonda, New York City
I love the idea of praying for moms this month.