June is the month
of Father’s Day. And oh how I miss
mine! He was only 48 years old when he
died – I was 22. I still remember so
well his smile, his laugh, his face, his love of children. He worked hard all his life for very little
reward. The oldest of ten children, he
served in Germany in World War II. My
favorite picture is of the two of us – me, 4 years old, and he, squatting on
his heels as he usually sat, resplendent in his Army uniform. His arm is around me, the biggest, broadest,
proudest smile wreathing his face. He
loved me so.
But I have another
Father. He lives in heaven as does my
Dad. Although I’ve never seen my
Father’s face, he is no less real to me than my Dad was. He created me and made me in His image. He breathed life into my body in my mother’s
womb. He knew my name before I was
born. He called me his child.
My Dad gave me 3
spankings in my life and I recall each one – short, hard swats to my
behind. He made his point but always in
love. My Father, by His rod, has snapped
me back “into line” numerous times – never to hurt me, but to get my
attention. I never wanted to fail Him
again, although I do every day by my thoughts and sometimes by my actions. But
each time my Dad swatted me, 20 minutes later we were laughing and eating
buttered popcorn, everything forgiven, tears dried, and peace restored.
So it is with my
heavenly Father. I am “swatted,” but
instantly forgiven, immediately back in his favor after admitting my mistakes
and begging His forgiveness. I imagine
his eyes are kind, even moist with empathy for me. There is no anger on His face, only glowing
love for me. He does not recount my sins
but forgets them. “What sin?” He says.
My Dad loved me
unconditionally, with an earthly love, even when I at times misbehaved. My heavenly Father loves me “as big as the
sky and back again.” I cannot begin to
fathom my Father’s love for me. I don’t
need to. I feel it when I pray, when I
sin, when I live. I can count on it
always being there, forever and ever, Amen.
“Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.” Matthew
6:9
