Father

Father

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—this is God, whose dwelling is holy.

“TIME TO GET UP, SLEEPYHEAD,” I call up the stairs as I scoop up Peanut the poodle for a quick pat before I put him outside. “Don’t forget today is Coffee with Dad,” I call again as Peanut ambles back in, headed for the food dish.

“Donuts! Dad!” A young voice yells, and I smile as my words produce scurrying sounds with no moaning or groaning over the earlier than normal morning.

Tuesday mornings are extra special in our house. Aaron takes one of the kids out for “coffee” and donuts before dropping them off at the school’s front door. Over the years, they’ve perfected the routine, searching out the best donuts and sampling various non-caffeinated drinks from coffee shops all around town. With their chats ranging from inane to deeply spiritual, the time spent together has become what is important, a beloved tradition.

Fatherhood—whether by blood or by love—brings stability and security in ways motherhood doesn’t. We know this—the statistics regarding the impact fathering (even very imperfect fathering) has on the lives of children is staggering when it comes to delaying or preventing risky behaviors.

God knows the importance of fathering. And he invites us into a father/child relationship—one that is healthy and good, with all of the benefits and none of the sorrows we might associate from imperfect, earthly dads. He offers what many people desperately need—a Father who does not hurt, does not fall short, does not leave us wishing for more.

The question is, do we believe that God is our Father? Do our actions reveal his fathering in our lives? Or do we act fatherless, insecure and unstable, choosing risky behaviors and living out the earthly statistics? For those with hard stories around earthly fatherhood, God is the redeemer of that title and role, able and willing to fill in the holes and gaps in our hearts, and be our defender, if we let him.

Lord, fill in the sorrows and hurts we have around fathering. Remind us that we are not fatherless. Amen.

-Julie

One Good Step: Write God a Father’s Day letter, confessing your feelings concerning fatherhood and what gaps you might need filled in.