Father’s Day: Finding Unconditional Love in Christ
Father’s Day is approaching quickly. For some it is a fun day filled with dad jokes and barbeques. For others, it is a time of feeling grief over the passing, abandonment or estrangement from a father. Of course, everyone has a unique story about their father. Maybe you are a father who is estranged from their children or never met their children. Jesus understands. Remember, He was separated from His Father on the cross in his most critical and excruciating moment, when humanity’s salvation rested on His obedience. He identifies with pain, grief, abandonment, and separation.
However, all of us have a Heavenly Father who loves you as much as He loves Jesus! Jesus prays in His final sermon, “I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” (John 17:23 NLT) Wow! When I first learned of that revelation, it was unfathomable to me. No conditions. No strings. You are eternally loved unconditionally.
I wanted to share a story to encourage anyone struggling with Father’s day. In brief, my dad was a very successful attorney, but didn’t love himself and didn’t know God loved him unconditionally. He was witty, creative, and always lit up a room with his charisma. Unfortunately, he was blinded to how God saw him. Therefore, he turned to a myriad of ways, including alcohol, to escape deeply rooted fear, pain, and rejection. He ran from God to every other escape to fill the void. Although we shared a very deep, special bond, despite his issues, he was truly my hero.
Eventually, dad did get sober and I spent a lot of time with him, despite deep pain. Fast forward about 8 years, dad was diagnosed with a stage 4 brain tumor at age 50. Although the doctors gave him 6 months to live, he survived 5 years and eventually, developed dementia among other illnesses. Nevertheless, God extended his time and allowed us to really, truly reconcile and have peace with each other. In fact, one day, we had time alone, as we sat in his bed and talked. I was concerned about where he would spent eternity. I shared Jesus with him and he prayed with me confessing Jesus as His Lord and Savior.
Although I was in the Bible frequently, I had a limited understanding of the Word. Nevertheless, the last card, I wrote him before He went to heaven, I prophesied unknowing,
26 My health fails; my spirits droop, yet God remains! He is the strength of my heart; he is mine forever!
28 But as for me, I get as close to him as I can! I have chosen him, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful ways he rescues me.
Psalm 73:26, 28 Living Bible.
On the day he passed, there were others around his bed, but he waited for my uncle to drive me two hours to be there. He held my hand and I held his, until he met Jesus face to face in heaven.
To honor my dad’s legacy as a prodigal, it is never too late to come home to your Heavenly Father. His arms are outstretched, regardless of your past decisions, present conditions, or how far you ran from God. Remember the prodigal son and how the father had compassion for his son, ran and embraced him. For fathers who may be estranged from their children, it is not too late to reach out. For children, no matter your age, Your Heavenly Father calls you His beloved child. The greatest gift my dad left me was knowing that no one and nothing is beyond our Heavenly Father’s love.
YOU ARE LOVED!!!