Since my father’s passing I have not been sure what Father’s Day will hold for me as far as my experience. Although, now that I think about it, I’ve never quite been sure what to do with this “holiday.” The circumstances of my broken family meant that I spent most of my life separated from my dad. The number of days I can remember spending with him wouldn’t use up both my hands in counting. So I knew what it was like having a father somewhere out there, yet now the opportunity to reach out to him is no longer.
Today had me thinking about the last time I saw him at his memorial service. Lying in state I observed how I could see my own features in his face, and I placed my hand on his. As I did so, I thought about his hands in my life. They were the hands that steadied me on his shoulders when I was a child; too small to see the parade among the crowd. They were the hands that picked me up when I fell while playing in the back yard. They were the hands that walked me down the isle to give me away at my wedding. They were the hands that led me around his work place from office to office to show everyone his daughter. And now they were the hands I held as I said goodbye.
Many thought that my father had failed me for not fighting harder to be in my life. I know he at times even felt that himself. However, I will not fault him for trying to be a peacekeeper. He was not a perfect man, but looking through the lens of grace has revealed some truths to me about my Heavenly Father. I know that my father would do everything in his power to be there when I needed him. The times we spent together were filled with delight in his eyes to take in just the sight of me. My sister told me that after our father would speak to me on the phone he would be so filled with joy in the hours following.
I see that reflected in my Heavenly Father who would move everything in His power to be with me, and how He delights in me as His own. While dads here on earth are not perfect they can help us to see the love of God. Being Imago Dei, made in the image of God, there is a special ministry that a father has within his family. How do you show your children the love of God? Help them to see that you will always be there for them, and that you delight in them. As children of God, our worth is found in who we are in Him. A father who shows their child has great value can go a long way to reflecting the love we find in Jesus. So use those hands to hold them tight.
“My Father, who has given them [Christ’s followers] to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:29 CSB
Author Dellaca Ferraiz Reynolds 