I watched my minister dad "carry" lots of people--the sick, the grieving, the lonely, the troubled--with compassion, tenderness, and understanding. I have memories of a godly father, a man of prayer and the Word, giving a lifetime of service to the Lord he loved. Perfect? By no means. Loving? By all means. And so, when I relate to God, my Heavenly Father, I have a role model of an earthly father, who loved, taught, and nurtured me in the ways of the Lord.
You may not--the father you remember may have been abusive, unloving, unjust, unforgiving--he may even have deserted you. That's unforgettable, but not unforgivable! Hard words, but you MUST let God help you face it, forgive it, and then be free to . . .
"Carry me, Daddy," the little girl begged (or whined!), as her tired, spindly little legs could walk no more. Mom and Dad had no car--their wheels were two-legged ones, and so the young family walked A LOT! And Dad "carried" a lot--I know, because I was that little girl.
I watched my minister dad "carry" lots of people--the sick, the grieving, the lonely, the troubled--with compassion, tenderness, and understanding. I have memories of a godly father, a man of prayer and the Word, giving a lifetime of service to the Lord he loved. Perfect? By no means. Loving? By all means. And so, when I relate to God, my Heavenly Father, I have a role model of an earthly father, who loved, taught, and nurtured me in the ways of the Lord.
You may not--the father you remember may have been abusive, unloving, unjust, unforgiving--he may even have deserted you. That's unforgettable, but not unforgivable! Hard words, but you MUST let God help you face it, forgive it, and then be free to accept a healthy relationship with Your Heavenly Father. Come to the Well, and let His Words bring healing to your wounded soul.
Scripture: "...Our Father, who art in heaven...(Luke 11:2 KJV)."
Prayer: Lord, help me to forgive a dad who was not there when I needed him. Help me to love a Heavenly Father who IS there when I need Him. Teach me to walk as a little child, with my hand secure in Your own. And when I can walk no further, hold me; carry me; "father" me. I accept Your love and healing today. In Jesus? Name.
Amen."
All Scriptures are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Copyright 2005 by Peggie C. Bohanon, Springfield, Mo. Used by permission.
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