II Corinthians 6:18 –

“And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” / AMP

No place to hide –

Run, sister, run!  Run into the alley!  Let me hide with you behind the trash cans!  There is enough room, let me hide with you!

I kept running so he wouldn’t catch me.  I didn’t care if the stones and pebbles cut into my feet, I couldn’t let him catch me.  Then, I heard them behind me.  Leather boots  pounding against the ground, against the rocks, against my heart and tears as I ran faster, hoping he wouldn’t catch me.  Pain gripped the back of my head; my hair caught in his fist yanking me back.  Engulfed in numbness and defeat, I never heard his yelling words on the way back home.  A shadow covered my thoughts while I tried to hold back the images of the leather strap cracking again my skin waiting for me behind closed doors.

No place to go –

Mom, why are you bleeding?  What did he do to your nose?  Can’t we go with you to the hospital?  Do we have to stay here with him?  Please, let us go with you!

No place to hold bitterness and anger – 

Dad, it’s okay.  You don’t need to apologize, again.  The Lord forgave you.  We forgave you. Please, forgive yourself.

Just a few reflective memories of my early childhood and adulthood.  The memories and Father’s Day bring a rollercoaster of emotions every year.  My heart’s sadness and loss find a better place hidden deeper within, than on the surface.  Yet, a peace and calm flow over me as I remember the Lord’s restoration within our family.

My earthly father learned to mask and cover his childhood hurts and pains with alcohol.  His drunken stupors brought on fits of bloody rage and anger to those closest to him.  He lacked the gifting of a nurturing father and did not start off well to pass on the blessing to his family.  An understanding of this honor was not passed unto him.  He linked us to a painful chain of bondage of abuse and struggles of emotional and physical survival.  

When our Heavenly Father intervenes he can use the hurtful places in our lives to build our character and teach us how to love when we surrender our lives to Him.  He begins to replace the links of the chain with forgiveness, mercy, and grace.

That’s what my dad did.  In his brokenness, he invited Christ into his life and asked for forgiveness, the painful chain of bondage was broken.  Afterwards, he asked us to forgive him.  This act freed us, began the process for our hearts to heal, and started opening the door for us to learn to love.  Forgiveness is amazing!

I was in my early twenties the first time I hugged my dad.  It was like hugging a stiff board filled with splinters.  In time, each hug worked a few more splinters out as the wounds were covered with the Lord’s healing touch.

God is our ultimate Father and example.  As each of us walks humbly before Him, He blesses.  He runs to us to greet us with celebration as His sons and daughters.

What an enormous task fathers have.  Here are a couple of the many passages and examples given in the Bible of the Father passing on the blessing.

Genesis 17:4 –

“As for Me, behold, My covenant (solemn pledge) is with you, and you shall be the father of many nations.” / AMP

God blessed Abraham to become the father of many nations because of his faithfulness.  God said, “I am the Almighty God; walk and live habitually before me and be perfect.  I will make my covenant between me and you and multiply you exceedingly.” / AMP  

Job 29:16 –

“I was a father to the poor and needy; the cause of him I did not know I searched out.”

Job, an example of true “faith in trials”.  He searches our hearts to test us, at times, to see where our true love lies.  Can one still praise God in the midst of trials?  In Job’s humbleness, God blessed him.  

There are many who understand this place of honor.  For those who don’t or haven’t been doing so, I pray this Father’s Day God touches your heart to bless you and help you begin to pass on the blessing to your families.  It’s not too late.  Surrender your life to Christ, for healing of the past and a promise for the future.

Perhaps, the song my Scott Wesley Brown, He Will Carry You,  will be of some help to you.

Bless you!