HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!



You are probably wondering why I am writing a Father's Day blog when the majority of our readers are women and mothers. Today, I would like to take a moment to remind you all of the important role that we as women play as we HONOR, SUPPORT, and ENCOURAGE the men that God has placed in our lives, especially the fathers.

When I think of a father I think about Christ and how He is the best father a messed up girl like me could ever ask for. I replay the times when I would do things that He didn't approve of and try my best to hide my sins from Him. (as if He wasn't an all knowing and all seeing God.) I also remember times when He would pull on my heart to draw me near to Him and I would have the nerve to push away and refuse His love. There were countless times when He would discipline me and I would throw a fit like a stubborn child. What's best about these memories is the fact that He unconditionally loved me through them all. He's just so awesome like that.

 

No one and nothing will ever replace the Presence of our Heavenly Father in our lives. Being that He is the Creator of the Universe, the Lord hand picked the earthly men that assisted in bringing each of us to life. I know many of you weren't born into a picture perfect family where your biological father married your biological mother, they were in love, and planned to have you. And once you were born they both unconditionally loved you and were equally hands on when it came to raising you into the woman you are today. If you fall into that picture perfect family category, I give you and your parents two thumbs up and a high five! For the other percentage of us whose families were less than perfect, know that the past does not dictate your future and you can make the choice today to mend those broken pieces.
 

My father and mother were each other's first loves. They grew up together, dated in the church, got married, moved to the suburbs, and created three amazing children. My father was born to be a provider. He was raised in a home where his father was never there because he was busy working, doing whatever he could to provide for his family. My father followed in his father's footsteps and exceeded them by obtaining a degree and working two jobs which he still works to this day.

 

Everything that I ever needed he provided. We always had food in the refrigerator, clothes on our backs, and the gas, water, and electric bills were always paid. Those were the necessities in his eyes but for us children we preferred to spend his hard earned cash on Geauga Lake/Six Flags passes every summer, a minimum of two vacations a year, toys, video games, weekly allowance, and the list goes on and on. We weren't spoiled but almost everything that we asked for he provided.

With provision came the expectancy of him working. What I wasn't aware of was the role that his absence would one day play in my life. I wanted to be showered with material things but I also just wanted my daddy to be there to hold me when I cried, to cheer me on at my games,  to say "that my girl!" at my recitals, and to gush about first crushes. But no he was busy working instead to provide the equipment for the games and the money for dance/instrumental lessons.

 

I recall my father telling me that he loved me when I went of to college, which by the way he paid for in cash. He was a man of few words and the phrase I LOVE YOU wasn't spoken often. I spent most of my life hating the fact that he was never there and that we had a nonexistent relationship. Thanks be to God when one day I woke up and realized just how blessed I was to even have a father that would work seven days a week just so I would want for nothing. It took me releasing my selfishness to come to the understanding that he was doing the best that he knew how to do at the time.

 

A blessing in disguise came when I moved back home to live with my parents. I hated it at first but then I saw it as a second chance for relearn, renew, and rebuild a relationship with my father. We now talk everyday about everything! He even keeps the boys for me on weekends when I'm off filming or doing ministry. He's a great father in my eyes and an even greater grandfather. I'm just so thankful that I GET the opportunity to tell him and show him how much I appreciate him and all of the sacrifices that he has made for our family.
 

If you have a father, grandfather, husband, ex-husband, brother, ex-boyfriend, son, male friend, mentor etc in your life, please take the time to reach out to them and tell them how much you LOVE and APPRECIATE them. Also, if you are holding onto any past hurts or resentment towards them simply utter the words I FORGIVE YOU, release it, and allow the Lord to heal that brokenness. Pray for the men in your lives daily and encourage them to be all that God has created them to be. Our words hold the power of life and death. So speak life and allow your words to be what changes those men today. Have a blessed Father's day weekend!

I LOVE YOU DADDY aka GRANDDAD aka PHILLIP JOHNSON!!!