TRUST #23: A Father Who Can Be Trusted

On the day each of our children were born, David was a tremendous help throughout the labor and delivery process. He stayed near me the entire time, making sure all was going as well as it could be. Then, as soon as our baby was born, he quickly checked to see that I was okay, then went to be near the young ones as they were being cleaned up. At each birth, he had made an obvious transition from being a caring and protective husband to being a caring and protective father. And, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

David with our 1st-born child -1998

David with our 2nd-born child - 2003

A good father can be TRUSTED to love his children, protect them, and to care for them in ways that only a good father can. I am thankful and pleased to have that kind of a father for my children.

Unfortunately, not everyone in this world has had a father who has earned that same kind of trust. If that is YOU, don't be discouraged. We know from God's Word that you, too, can have a Father who can be trusted - a Heavenly Father. When you accept Jesus as your Savior, you are adopted as a child of God. He becomes the good Father you never had.
 
So, today, which is Father's Day in the United Stated, don't be afraid to open your heart to the Heavenly Father, placing your TRUST in Him. He is a Father who loves you, cares for you, wants to be a part of your life, and knows you better than anyone - even to the point of knowing how many hairs are on your head. He is a Father who can be TRUSTED.

Photo of the Week #19: My First Father's Day

I don't have very many photos of my dad holding me as an infant. But, I did find this one which was taken shortly after I was born. That means, it was probably taken on, or very close to, Father's Day of 1969. It was my first Father's Day with my dad.

Today is Father's Day 2017, and it is another "first" for me - the first one without my dad. It is very different to not have my dad to send a card to this year, or to be able to pick up the phone and give him call. But, it is not a sad day. Instead, I choose it to be a day of remembrance and gratitude; a day to thank God for giving me a father who loved his family dearly (and one I loved dearly in return).

Photo of the Week #18: See You Later, Dad

For the month of May, I took an unexpected break from blogging. The reason? I was saying goodbye (or rather, "see you later") to my wonderful dad, and then began trying to adjust to the new normal without him here on this earth. It has not been easy but, with God's help, my family and I are slowly adjusting with the strength given to us from above.

This photo was taken sometime within the 2 weeks my dad was at home in a hospice bed. Among other things, his liver was failing, and we all knew his "time" was getting closer; but, even at the end of his earthly life, it was such an encouragement to see him sharing the love of Jesus with us. As he spoke to us, we know he was trying to make sure he would be seeing his family again someday in Heaven. For example, at one point, Dad asked me directly, "What will you say to Jesus when you meet Him?"

I confidently answered, "I will thank Him for saving me from my sins. And, then I will also thank Him for giving me a dad and a mom who took the time to teach me about Jesus."

Although I miss my dad terribly, I have felt the prayers of others, and truly feel at peace, knowing he is in a better place, and that I will see him again someday. His favorite song by The Booth Brothers is "Look for Me at Jesus' Feet." I certainly plan on looking for him there when it is my turn to leave this world behind. I hope you will be able to join us.

Please watch this 5-minute video tribute to my dad, made by my brother, Daniel. This was played during Dad's memorial service on May 20th. And, if you need more information about becoming a Christian and want to be sure you have a right relationship with God, please take a look at: WHY WE NEED SALVATION.)

SIDE NOTE:  In the photo you can see a little toy figurine attached to Dad's watch. When he first came home on hospice, he asked for something from one of his grandkids that he could hold next to his heart. He loved his grandkids dearly with unconditional, unending love.

Encouragement Challenge #25: Honoring Fathers

Happy Father's Day!

Mother's Day came first. Then, Fathers could not be left out, so Father's Day was later added to the list of official holidays. It was President Richard Nixon who signed a proclamation in 1972 to recognize the 3rd Sunday in June as a day to honor fathers. For a more elaborate history of Father's Day, go here: The History of Father's Day

ENCOURAGEMENT CHALLENGE #25 

Some of this is a repeat from my Mother's Day post, but consider using one of these ideas to think about and honor your father this week. (NOTE:  If your father is deceased, several of these ideas can still be done in honor of him.)

1.  Consider planting a tree in his backyard (or in your own backyard if he is deceased). You could even make a minimum $10.00 donation to THE ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION in your father's honor. Each dollar donated will plant one tree in one of our nation's forests, so $10.00 will plant 10 trees.

2.  Instead of buying expensive gifts, just spend time with him. Play a game, watch a movie, go for a walk, or just sit and talk. If you live too far away, be sure to at least call him and talk to him on the phone for awhile. He just wants to know you care about him.  

3. Write a thank-you note to your dad for the roll he has played in your life.

4.  Ask your father what he wants you to pray about for him, then pray for him daily this week (or longer if you like). 

5.  Make a donation in your dad's name to his favorite charity or religious organization.

6.  Name a star after him at STAR-REGISTRATION.

7.  Tell him you love him.

8.  Watch THIS EPISODE from The Donna Reed Show in 1962 (Season 5, Episode 6), titled "My Dad." Here are the words to the song in this episode, sung by Paul Peterson...

My Dad

Written by:  Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil

He isn't much in the eyes of the world,
He'll never make history.
No...He isn't much in the eyes of the world,
But he is the world to me... 

My Dad,
Now here is a man.
To me he is everything strong,
No he can't do wrong,
My Dad.

My Dad,
Now he understands
When I bring him troubles to share,
Oh he's always there,
My Dad.

When I was small
I felt ten feet tall,
When I walked by his side.
And, everyone
Would say, "That's his son."
And my heart would burst with pride!

My Dad,
Oh I love him so.
And, I only hope that someday,
My own son will say,
"My Dad. Now Here is a man."

Welcome Home, Daddy

I’ve heard it said many times that we need to cherish what we have, because we never know when it might be taken away. That thought rang true in my mind yesterday morning, after I received a phone call from my Paramedic husband.

On the phone, he told me of a how the Lord protected him on his way to the hospital with a patient. The driver of the ambulance was going 65 miles per hour, and a semi truck, not seeing them coming, turned out in front of them. If it hadn’t been for quick reflexes and solid brakes, the ambulance would have collided with the truck.

Thankyou, Lord, for protecting my husband! You can be sure, when he arrived home last night, I welcomed him at the door with several hugs and kisses.

Speaking of that, I just finished reading a book by Lorrie Flem called, “Welcome Home, Daddy.” It’s a book geared towards helping homemakers become more content in their roles, and more committed towards serving in the home. It gives helpful suggestions on how to make your family feel special, including greeting your husband at the door when he gets home from work. It also gives ideas on how to make family meal times more special for everyone, how to be hospitable to guests (and not always needing a spotless house to do so!), tips on having family devotions, how to teach your children to pray, ways to minister to others through home baked goodies, and how to support your husband in his role as well. Overall, the book is what you might call “a graduate course in domestic engineering.”

Some may consider Lorrie’s traditional views of homemaking to be a bit extreme, due to the world we live in today and the many career options available for women to choose from. But, for those who desire to be the best they can be in the honorable occupation of being mothers and homemakers, this book gives good ideas on how to make the hours that “Daddy” is home into cherished memories. I know I gleaned some inspiration from it, and I’m sure you would, too.

NOTE: I received “Welcome Home, Daddy” as an official member of THE GABBY MOMS blogging program for Eternal Encouragement Magazine. I received it free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

If you are a mom blogger interested in being a part of the Gabby Moms program for 2012, please go HERE for more information.

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