Happy Father's Day

Hello Friend!

It is Father's day!  I hope caffeine and sugar are in your future. Is Father's day a positive event or a painful one in your house? Maybe both?  Me too.  I know some amazing families and today I am thinking about the ones whose Daddies are in heaven. To be truthful, my heart is heavy.  Last year, two of my friend's circles were touched by death.  Young men, who died unexpectedly, left holes in their families and shattered hearts.

I wanted to share with you a letter I wrote to an amazing woman who has become a single parent.  The role was thrust upon her and by God's grace she is still standing.  We thought perhaps someone might be encouraged if we shared the letter.  It was written to her girls, the first Father's day he was unable to be with them.  

Friend, think of those who don't have Dad's at home. Abandonment, illness, broken relationships: there are many ways fatherhood is damaged.  Pray for their families, think of ways to bless their tribe.  The eyes of our Father hover over the orphan and the widow.  They are dear to His heart.

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Dearest Wiley Girls,

My name is Ms. Karen and I am a friend of Miss J.  Miss J and I talk on the phone and pray early on school mornings, when you are still tucked in bed sleeping.  Since your Daddy died last fall, we pray for your family often.  We pray for courage, peace and that somehow, God will hold you close while your sweet hearts are hurting.  You must miss your Daddy so much.

I have daughters too.  They lost a family member they loved 3 years ago.  We all cried a lot and it was a hard time.  You will probably get this letter on Father’s day.  I was thinking this might be a sad day.  Sometimes, when I miss my family, I think about heaven.

Did you know the bible tells us where we go when we die?  Jesus says, “Trust me.  There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s house.  If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you.  And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live. (John 14:1-4 The message.) 

That means right now, your Dad is with Jesus in heaven.  I bet that today, they are talking about how much they love you.  I think your Dad is looking at the rooms Jesus is building for you in his house.  I think he is telling Jesus about your favourite colours, your favourite stuffed animals and helping get your rooms ready.  I know that you aren’t going to heaven anytime soon, but I know that you will see your Daddy again.  What a happy day that will be.

I was thinking that maybe, if you wanted, you could call Father’s Day- Daughter’s Day.  Do you want to know why?  Because I know that Jesus and your Dad think you are amazing daughters.  You are brave, beautiful girls and Jesus and Dad are so proud of you.

Some people think that being brave means you can fight tigers.  Some people think being brave means you never feel sacred.  But you know what?  That isn’t true. 

Brave girls are the ones that cry and then get ready for school.   Brave girls eat their cereal even when their whole body is sad.  Brave girls walk into places when they would rather be in their beds.

You Wiley Girls are brave girls.  Your Dad made you brave.

So, this Father’s Day/Daughter’s Day, I think you should celebrate how amazing you are.  Because I live far away, I am asking Ms. J to take you for ice cream.  I think brave girls should eat ice cream.  Maybe you could eat ice cream and tell Ms. J how great your Dad is.  And maybe in heaven, your Dad is having ice cream with Jesus and telling him what great daughters he has. 

I will keep praying for you and maybe when I visit Ms. J this summer, we can all go for ice cream AGAIN!

You are a special family,

xoxKaren