When I think about what Jesus has done for me, not only forgiving me, wiping out my history, being my prayer advocate to HIS Dad on my behalf, interceding for me (Hebrews 7:25), and because of those things and more, I’ve got the most awesome Dad in creation. Thank you, Dad, for even knowing how many rapidly diminishing hairs I have on my head….and for wiping my slate clean day after day after day!

For anyone there, like me, without an earthly dad today, God adores you, and everything He has is yours. For earthly dads who have, oftentimes for reasons outside of their control, lost contact with their children, God adores you, and everything He has is yours. For both these types of men – today is blisteringly hard, as are the weeks leading up to it with all the displays in the shops. And, understandably though sadly, church has to cater for the majority – happy families that are complete – it is painful to go to church on a day like today. I mentioned the wonderful pop song a while back, by Mike & the Mechanics – the Living Years: don’t waste your life on holding on to unforgiveness: and then regret when it’s too late. Unforgiveness ultimately destroys the person who can’t or won’t forgive. That’s what that song is about.

What I wouldn’t give to be able to tell my lovely earthly dad how much I love him today! I’ve done it every Father’s Day for the past 48 years, since I was 12, but it’s not quite the same thing….

So, for all dads who aren’t in the ‘ideal family’, I want to tell you today – YOU ARE LOVED, YOU ARE CHERISHED, YOU ARE PRECIOUS, YOU ARE ADORED – by the One who created you, died for you, and loves you without any limits. GOD’S GRACE AND LOVE BE YOUR EXPERIENCE ALL DAY TO TODAY, AND FOR THE ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE.