Father’s Day is a day of great celebration for many…but what if Father’s Day is a day of great pain?

There are those who have experienced their much-loved father’s death…those who are estranged due to custody issues, abuse, or a complicated relationship…those who have been blocked by a parent from seeing their father/child…and some never met their father because he left.

There are dads who will be in great pain today due to having experienced a much treasured child’s death…dads who have a distant or complicated relationship with their child(ren)…dads who are grieving a child due to miscarriage…or the child’s mother chose abortion.

There are dads who are serving in the military…or children who are serving, too.

There are some dads or children who are incarcerated as well.

There are some who have no idea where their dad or child is due to addiction or being a prodigal.

Some moms never revealed the identity of their child’s father and decided to raise their child(ren) by themselves.

Some moms/grandparents have had to protect their children from their father due to illegal activity or safety issues.

Some adult kiddos have a spouse who has interfered with or influenced their spouse’s relationship with their father.

Some will flat out ignore their dad or child due to an argument, conflict that never got resolved, or wrong priorities.

There are stepdads who accepted and loved a child like their very own…but, due to a divorce, they were cut out of their stepchild(ren)’s life.

Father’s Day can be a very painful day for many.

Not everyone has the blessing of going out to eat with their dad for Father’s Day (or celebrating with their children)…and there will be no happy Instagram or Facebook post.

Instead, there will be a void…a sadness…an ache…an emptiness…that will be greatly felt today.

While growing up, my dad was suddenly killed. And Father’s Day was hard. At church, my Sunday School teachers would instruct us to draw a picture or make a special craft project to give to our dad as a Father’s Day gift. As I watched my friends run up to their dads to excitedly give them their art work, and see them hugging them and holding their father’s hand…my heart just sank. I felt so out of place. My mom did a great job that Father’s Day sharing how God was a good Father who genuinely cares.

My mom would later remarry and I eventually received one treasure of a dad. He was amazing – absolutely wonderful – so I want to give a big shout out to all of the incredible men who step into the grand position of loving their bonus children.

Last year, after a terrible battle with stage 4c cancer, my second Dad also died.

This year, I’m missing both of my dads…but I’m lovingly remembering both of them.

Today, I’m also celebrating the Ultimate Father — God.

God the Father is always present. He knows every heartache, pain, frustration, and fact about our lives.

He assures us that He is a Father to the fatherless.

Family is extremely important to God…so important that He calls us family…and He greatly values us. God loves us and calls us His.

Psalm 68:5 says, “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”

Today, you are so loved … so treasured … so valued … so precious … so very important. You genuinely matter!

Whatever is hurting your heart today, God knows. He truly loves you and cares.

Spend time with God the Father and allow His love to soothe, comfort, and encourage your heart.

Psalm 103:13, “Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.”

Allow God’s great compassion to meet your heart’s needs today.

What if you feel out of place this weekend or feel “less than”? Nothing could be further from the truth!

A quote I love and find very meaningful is:

“There are no accidental children…There are no illegitimate children. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did,” -Rick Warren

God planned for you and created you with His very own hands. You are here for a reason. You are more than accepted and totally valuable. Never doubt – and never forget – this awesome fact! http://peacewithgod.net

Perhaps you are deeply regretting the mistakes you have made with your child(ren) or father…there is always hope! Pour your heart out to God and ask Him for His help. This blogpost may also encourage your heart: https://griefbites.com/2016/03/20/mourning-those-who-are-still-alive/

If you know a family member or friend who no longer has their father in their life…or a dad who is deeply missing their child, be sure to reach out to them to let them know you care. Compassion and empathy are meaningful gifts to extend to loved ones on holidays.

Wishing everyone a blessed Father’s Day!

Gratitude & blessings,

Kim

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