8/12/13:

TFTD: “And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction” Malachi 4:6

There is a statistic that I read recently that says 40 percent of kids grow up without a father, and another significant chunk grow up with an emotionally detached father. That got me thinking. I am in the top percentile of families today. I have a father that has been around for just about everything and makes an effort to be in my life. But as lucky as I am, all I can think about right now is my God son who is almost one year old. One of my best friends, his dad, left yesterday for a tour in Afghanistan and he could be gone anywhere from 9-18 months. He will miss his son’s first birthday, some crucial bonding time with him as he grows up and starts walking around, and it is all because he is fighting for our right to freedom. He is sacrificing some of the most precious time with his son, to ensure our safety and protection. Is that not the example that Christ set?

            We all have a heavenly father. He was the one who was willing to sacrifice time with His first born Son, to ensure our safety and protection. No matter what your father was or is like, whether your father has left you or has been around, your heavenly Father is there for you. He won’t miss a birthday, or any significant events of your life. He won’t abandon your family for someone else’s, and He definitely won’t leave your side. He will be there day or night whenever you call on Him. Always, forever, and no matter what. He calls you His forgiven and redeemed child, and that puts all of us in the best family of all. Christ’s family.

“Our heavenly Father understands our disappointment, suffering, pain, fear, and doubt. He is always there to encourage our hearts and help us understand that He's sufficient for all of our needs. When I accepted this as an absolute truth in my life, I found that my worrying stopped.”- Charles Stanley