Just Waitin’ On You Dad

ValMay ♦ June 15, 2013 ♦ Leave a comment

Father’s Day is this Sunday. These type of celebratory days are great for some people and really hard for others. Great if you have a dad, or a significant father figure in your life: Hard, sad or depressing if your father has passed away or if you never had a father figure in your life or a less than ‘acceptable’ father figure if your life. No matter our lot in life – what I am thankful for, is, “Our Father, Who Art in Heaven”. We are all familiar with those words. I am thankful for the constancy of our Father in Heaven – the One who says I have been and always have been with you! Praises for that!

One of the most stick-to-you stories that I remember reading is the one about a little boy, a 4-years-old out playing in the front yard at the family’s vacation lake house, who ran too close to the edge of the pier and fell in. His older sister (who was supposed to be watching him) screamed and his dad, who was in boathouse, knew immediately what had happened and dived into the 8 ft water after him. Frantically he felt around in the murky water for his son, but twice, out of breath, he had to return to the surface. On the 3^rd try he found his son – clinging to the wooden pier several feet down. Prying the boy’s fingers loose, he bolted to the surface with his son in his arms.

Safely ashore, his dad asked him, what were you doing down there? His son, little Billy, replied, “Just waitin’ on you Dad, just waitin’ on you.”

As young as Billy was, he already had a history with his father – a history of feeling safe, protected, accepted and loved. He knew from experience that his dad loved him, was delighted in him and he was aware of his dad’s faithfulness.  His dad had been there in the past for him, so little Billy was hanging on, trusting that his dad would come and help him in this current situation. That’s the kind of Heavenly Father we have! I am thankful  to have had a father who loved me dearly. He passed away at 52 (over 30 years ago) and I still miss him a lot! I am also thankful for a husband that strives to be a good dad to our 3, now grown, kids. I am thankful for the many ‘father’ figures in my life! But most of all, I am thankful for my Heavenly Father who loves me just the way I am; and loved me enough to send His Son, Jesus, so I KNOW that I will see my own father and the many others that I love, again someday!

How do we get to know our Heavenly Father better?  By spending time with Him, by reading His word to see how faithful He has been to all who followed Him through the ages; by being around his children (being a part of the body of Christ, i.e. church, small group, etc.), hearing others talking about how He has been faithful to them; by reading stories about how He has been faithful.   Get to know this Father who loves you dearly!

“Be still” and “Know” that I am God. (Ps. 46:10)

On the Journey … Valerie May