Father’s Day – A Journey of Love and Pain

As we all know, Father’s Day is Sunday. Social media is flooded with fathers posting fun-filled happy memories of the past and present with their sons and daughters.  However, not all fathers can rejoice and be glad.  There are many who are hurting, saddened, worried, and worn down by their child’s choices and dangerous behaviors and lifestyles.  How does one get through it? 

I could easily pass on a remedy of prayer, Bible reading, support groups, etc… Unfortunately, there are situations in which we try all of those things and yet our child goes deeper into turmoil and fears of death ponder our mind. 

There are fathers who have addicted children on heroin and other strong drugs.  There are fathers whose children are incarcerated.  There are fathers who don’t know where their child is and there are those who have a child battling mental illness with no hope on the horizon.  

One father recently stated to me, “Sometimes I wonder if it would be better if they died. It would release them from the pain they can’t get relief from.” With the words barely out of his mouth, tears streamed down his face.  He felt so lost over his child. 

Another father lives day to day dreading a call that his child has died from an overdose. Can you imagine the fear that sweeps over you when the phone rings or there is a knock on the door?

These fathers feel so helpless and powerless to stop the things that are destroying or killing their children.  Their hearts cry out to God daily to bring change and restoration.  They too, ask those tough questions to God. “How much longer will it be for my child to get help or to heal?”  That is every parent’s prayer no matter what issue it is or how severe it is.  

I know that I do not have earthly answers.  I do know that I serve a God who gives mercy, grace, love, healing, and forgiveness.  I also serve a God that is a good Father and grieves just as much as the earthly father over their child’s choices and life-altering decisions.  This is the very reason why our Heavenly Father sent Jesus.  Jesus bore our burdens on the cross.  He bears the hurt and brokenness our child feels too. 

One thing I have learned, to which I can earnestly say, God is NOT finished yet.  He is NOT going to give up on our children.  He is NOT going to leave them behind.  He is NOT going to forsake you.  He WILL bend His ear to hear your prayers. He WILL collect all of your tears in His bottle for all of the sorrows you have endured.  

Dear Parents, don’t give up.  Give in!  Keep pursuing God the way that He pursues your child.  The Lord wants to bestow His love, compassion, peace, and comfort to not just you, but also to your child who is wayward and lost.  Although it is difficult to enjoy Father’s Day, He still rejoices over the ones who lift their child before His throne in prayer.  He is the best Healer we have. While you wait for your child’s healing, seek yours. God so desires to meet you this day and minister to you.

As you wait patiently for the Lord to move in your child’s life, write down all of the wonderful blessings your child has given you throughout their life.  Write down the many blessings God has bestowed on you personally.  Write down the prayer requests that have been heavy on your heart. Lastly, write to God and thank Him for His everlasting love towards you and your family. God is not finished.  He is working on your child in ways you cannot fathom.  Remember, God’s ways are higher than yours.  Praise God! Meditate on His words today.

“O Lord you are our Father.  We are the clay, you are the potter; we are the work of your hands.” (Isaiah 64:8)

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:8)

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26)

“Your Father in heaven is not willing that any one of these little ones should be lost.”  (Matthew 18:14)

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)

Photo by Lachlan Dempsey on Unsplash