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Daddy, Dad, Father


It's been two months since the unexpected death of my Daddy. To say I have lacked the inspiration or even the motivation to write would be a tremendous understatement. The process of grief is slow sometimes, and this loss is particularly difficult because of a complicated past with my dad. As I reach for the words to express my thoughts, I am reminded of the truth of God's word.

But You, O God, do see trouble and grief...You are the helper of the fatherless. (Psalm 10:14)

I am far from feeling abandoned by God, even in my sadness. If anything, this season has reminded me of His faithfulness through the years that Daddy and I struggled to have a positive relationship. But time and again, God's word reminds us that He is a source of comfort and help to the orphan and the fatherless.

So today, as fathers are recognized, I honor my Heavenly Father. He continues to carry me through the days when I am too weak or tired to even hold myself together. I remember the life of my Daddy-the one who gave me so many inherited gifts, including music and writing. I will always cherish the good days we had and the fun childhood memories he helped create. And I celebrate the Dad who God gave us in my adult life. The one who chose my Mom, my sister, me, and our family to be his own. He never tried to take Daddy's place in our life, but he cried with us the day Daddy died. He is there for us in so many ways, and I'm grateful for him.

Even greater, I am married to an amazing man and father. He loves our boys so well, and I admire how he takes other young men under his wing to steer them in the right direction. Especially if that direction happens to be hunting or fishing! God showed me what a dad should be when Lyndon came into my life, and I'll forever be thankful for his gift of fatherhood.

I'm not fatherless. Neither are you. Even in the moments when you feel alone, God is there. Sometimes we can't sense His presence, but that doesn't mean we have been rejected. Perhaps we are the ones who separated ourselves. Maybe life has gotten in the way, and we haven't made our vertical relationship a priority. Until He is our priority, our other relationships, including the ones with our dads, will suffer.

Who is the "father" in your life, even if it isn't a biological parent? Be sure to show them your love every chance you get. We will never regret showing someone we love them and care about them. 

Happy Father's Day to the fathers, daddies, dads, granddads, and all of you who take on the role of being a father figure. 

© 2024 Jill Cook. All rights reserved.

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