Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 5:22-24 (NIV)
I am not a good flyer. I do not enjoy the process of hauling my bags to be weighed, handing them over to a stranger and hoping that they make it onto the plane. I don’t like taking my computer out of my bag and placing it in a bin with my shoes, purse and other essential items. I don’t like waiting in the airport for boarding longer than the time it takes to reach my destination. I don’t like being herded like cattle down a ramp and into the narrow aisle way of the airplane only to be wedged between strangers. The worst part of flying for me is that it takes days for my ears to equalize and my brain to clear. I feel so foggy and lifeless after a plane ride. All of that is said to explain why this morning I did not feel like celebrating Father’s Day. While I was blessed with a great father, I know many people who have real reasons not to want to recognize Father’s Day. This morning, I was in the grocery store and ran into two young women that I know. I made sure not to make mention of Father’s Day to them because their dad died of cancer when they were barely teens. The bagger at check out was complaining to the cashier about her dad. “Why should I call him?” she said. “He’s never cared about me. If he wants to be a part of my life, he can pick up the phone and call me.” I know for some people this is a very painful day because their father never met the expectations that they had for him because he didn’t try, wasn’t there or was simply ignorant of how to be a father. This week, I heard someone on the radio say, “We are all born orphans looking for a father. That emptiness can lead us to our Heavenly Father and a relationship with him.” Yet, I know not all people think highly of God because their earthly father was a poor reflection of their Heavenly Father. I don’t have any excuses. Not that my dad was perfect, there are no perfect dads on this earth, but he was there, he tried, he loved and he cared. I know how blessed I am so was feeling like a bum because I was too lazy to get up off the couch and go next door to give him a gift and card. How many more Father’s Days will I have with him anyway? When I thought of that, I went right over and spent some time with him. I think he was just waiting for me to arrive. If for some reason, you don’t have an earthly father to honor today and even if you do, remember, your Heavenly Father longs for time spent with you. He’s waiting to embrace you and fill that emptiness in your heart. He’s just waiting for you to come to Him.
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