Bread for the Journey

On this day, set aside to honor our dads, I naturally think back to the father image modeled to me by my dad, who loved me and wished the best for his children. His way of showing his love was in providing for us, guiding and protecting us. As a grown up woman now, I understand even more how he loved us and desired to be proud of us. It is a natural feeling for a father to hope his children will recognize his love by what he has unselfishly given and done for them.

The most beautiful example of a father's love is described in the parable of the prodigal son. In this story the son asked his father for his share of his forthcoming inheritance, so he could go and spend it. I imagine the father would have loved to stop his son from making a huge mistake, but he let him go. As the story goes, once the money was gone and the son was trying to stay alive by feeding pigs for a farmer, he came to his senses and decided to go home. What I love is the description in Luke 15:20, "while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."

Can you imagine, God running! The ultimate love of a father is depicted in teaching his children, watching them make choices that sadden him, yet waiting with open arms to forgive. Whether it's our natural father or our heavenly father we envision in this scene, may we use this day to reconcile the distance we may have created and know the love that is waiting for us.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads in our circles!

Your unselfish giving 

participation

protection 

and encouragement 

does not go unnoticed.

May God bless you!