The Heart of the Father
~Kathy Estep~

June is the month for the beginning of summer, lots of sunshine and outdoor times, fresh fruits and vegetables, hiking, weddings, Flag Day…and Father’s Day. I know some of you may not have pleasant thoughts or good memories of a father, and I am truly sorry about that. But please indulge me for a few minutes. My father was a wonderful, godly man. He worked hard at his job, and deeply loved his family. He would tease me when I was young, calling me to his sink when he was shaving, pretending he was going to nuzzle me with his lathered-up face. He and I
would work together in the yard, pulling weeds, trimming plants, and hanging Christmas lights. We would have breakfast together every morning before he left for work and I left to walk to high school. He taught me to drive, in his 1965 VW Bug. He went halfway up a hill, pulled over to the side of the road and put me in the driver’s seat, so I would learn how to manage a clutch! He would play Lincoln logs and Brio trains with my kids. He loved God and was so devoted to Him. He would get up early in the mornings to read his Bible and write in his journal. He prayed for me and my children every day. When I lived out of state, he would call me on Saturday mornings. And when I became a single Mom, he would always ask me, “Kathy, do you need any money?” When the kids and I visited my parents in the summer, he would pull each kid aside, have them sit down, put his hands on them and pray out loud for them. That was precious time.

My memories help me understand my Heavenly Father’s love and care for me. God is always available to listen and understand, I can pour my heart out to Him. God provides for me, even when circumstances look so very bleak. God teaches me, and His truths help me make sense of my life and our world. And just as my little family so delighted in my father’s love for us, I have a bond of camaraderie with fellow Christians that has a depth not found in most circles. If you do not have the good memories of a Father that I have, I encourage you to not let that cloud your view of God. He is a gentle, kind, loving, and forgiving Father. The Bible describes Him as “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” 2 Cor. 1:3. And He longs for you to run to Him! I encourage you to do this, for God truly does love you.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ~2 Corinthians 1:3~