Fathers

-
Sitting in the grass of our back yard after my dad's funeral in September of '89, I remember feeling great comfort and words from God. He said I will be your provider and earthly dad. 

Psalm 68:5-6a A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families. 

Years passed. I finished high school and headed off to college in '96. I got involved in a local small church and instantly connected with Karen the pastor's wife. Her husband Rick was the first man I remember being like a father in helping me make decisions, talk through big life questions and just be silly with. This family was so essential in my life. Even part of the reason I headed out to Texas for grad school, at Southwestern Baptist. 

Big move to Texas alone at 21 was scary. I remember crying in a professors office, first week of school, after he asked me if I was doing ok. It surprised me and him! lol My roommate said she wanted to check out a church the next Sunday and I should come with her. So I did and found my next home. Here I signed up to volunteer with the youth and met Christin. She opened her heart and her family to me. 

Her dad became my second father figure! He showed me what it is to adore your wife and kids. He spent a long evening with me at the Honda dealer to purchase my first car after a long day of work! He is a model of patience, long-lasting love, tender heartedness and a protector. 

Both of these men made special effort to make my wedding special. I remember receiving a call from Rick and Karen (in VA, me inTX) to say how happy he was for me and that he wished he could be there. Kyle and his wife Renee drove the 6 hour drive to make it and give me a sweet handkerchief and pray with me before I walk down the isle. Those things are tucked away into my heart in the hole they filled in a BIG way! I don't know if they know or not but GOD DOES! 

I may have lost my birth dad at a young age, but God promised he'd provide for me. Whether that was through these two men or just him doing miracles in my life, he never let me down. I am so thankful!

My sweet husband is an amazing dad. Not only just the fun stuff but the hard stuff too. I remember him saying " I love you son" to shepherd when he was barely a year old. He says it almost daily to our boys. He says I don't ever want them to doubt it or forget it. 

What a beautiful reflection of God! Every day we wake to a beautiful sun rise, God saying hello y'all I love you! Through out the day we have weather that makes the grass and trees grow, God saying hello look I'm taking care of this with you. Sweet whispers to our souls (we often miss) God sayin Hey I love you son or daughter! Sit with me awhile. 

Hope you are sitting with your Father today! Hope you are showering him with love and affection. If this is a painful day for you please know that God is sitting there with you and wants to shower his love and affection on you! Just say "I'm here Lord!" and listen. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Engagment pictures

-
Image
As mentioned in the last entry of this blog i bragged about how Dad is taking care of me and just making things light and easy and fun for the wedding. Yesterday Andrew and i went and took pictures with a friend of ours. And she took us to the grapevine train station, a field, a strange house, and to the lake where he proposed. We laughed, kissed, hugged, laughed and tried to stay warm. It was so much fun! Ellie was a bit nervous cause the temperature was like in the 50's. But the sun and sky was perfect so she said if we were game she was game. So we did! Ended up with like 200 pics....she wittled them down and gave me 160 some. They are all sooo good...it was hard to pick my fave. I am so thankful for her, her talent and her willingness to do this with us! I may put a link to the folder...but not sure just how....so bear with me! :)
Read more

Valentines Day

-
Image
I was curious as to where Valentines day came from and this is what i found. There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that i t originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine. Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ba
Read more

Drills

-
Image
So the past few wednesdays i have been blessed to 'tutor' 1st graders with reading. Its so easy and it goes by so quick. My husband teaches middle school and has stories galore about the craziness of them and their families. Somethings could be prevented and most is just cause people need Jesus and need to seek after him. Yesterday as we were tutoring they had an 'extreme weather drill'. where everyone calmly goes out in the hall, turn toward the wall sit on their knees and bend over like a ball with their hands on the back of their heads. one teacher said its easier to keep learning with a broken hand than head so keep your hands over the back of your head. The only drills i remember are the fire drills, where you go outside and stand in a line and pretend to watch your school burn down. I have never lived anywhere that they drill for earthquakes or extreme weather...have you? What drills did you do as a yungen?
Read more