On This Father's Day...

Father's day is usually a day I really don't celebrate or even acknowledge. I sound bitter don't I, but it is the honest truth. Like many others I do not have a relationship with my birth father. So it was pretty easy for me to ignore father's day and keep it moving. But this father's day is different. I have grown so much since I first started on my journey with the Lord. Today I can see how I have changed so much and I can honestly say I am not who I used to be.
Growing up I did not have my father around, he came around when he felt like it. I did however have father figures in my life but they too weren't around for long. Seemed as though whenever a father figure came into my life it was not long before he would leave. I am not alone, there are many who can relate. But it amazes me that as I stand here today 24 and saved…that I can truly say that I have forgiven my father.

A long time ago the Lord gave me an ultimatum, either I forgive my father or I couldn't go any further with my relationship with him. Man that was tough because I just didn't want to forgive him but as I thought about it and prayed of course I chose to forgive him.
But…
Even though I did forgive him I refused to call him on his birthday or on father's day. I just didn't think he deserved the acknowledgment. So for years I never called him. like NEVER. But today I felt like calling my dad to say Happy Father's Day! Why? I really don't know.

So I called…he answered… I said Happy Father's Day with all the sincerity and love I could muster up. And the reaction was priceless… it was at that moment that I knew me calling my father was ordained and ordered by God. It was only God who put the desire in me to call him. I am glad I did. He was so appreciative of me reaching out to him and honestly it made me smile. I felt good. I realized then that I wasn't doing it for him but for me. Right then God showed me how much I have grown.

God also began to show me what forgiveness looked like. He reminded me of all the times I have sinned and how he has forgiven me every time. God showed me how his love covered a multitude of my wrongs. That phone call this morning taught me so much about myself and my God. My father was and is not the greatest father but to be transparent and honest, I was not the greatest daughter. God showed me the times I made promises to him that I broke or the times I disobeyed and did my own thing. I was not the greatest daughter. God still loved me and forgave me and his grace and mercy still follows me today.

Then God poses the question…
Why can't you show the same love and forgiveness to people the same way I have loved and forgiven you?

TOUGH QUESTION LORD…. I DONT KNOW.

Who am I to not show grace to others! I am not perfect and neither is my father. I am learning to forgive and to love and it is not easy but it needs to be done. I am an extension of Christ and if I am not loving and forgiving others the way he forgave me than I am doing a disservice to the body of Christ and to the Kingdom.

Regardless of the past make an effort to love and forgive. Always remember the way Christ loved and forgave you.

Happy Father's day to every father! May God continue to bless you!