The Cry of a Father’s Heart

 

This is one of my most favorite memories of my Father and I, in a parade in Yerington, Nevada.  My Dad had spray painted horse shoes gold and I would toss the horse shoes out for people to have as a gift.  Dad was working on cattle ranches there at the time.  Our family was given a ranch house to life in as part of his salary.

Sometime later my Mom and Dad split up.  I rarely saw my Dad after they split up.  There may have been maybe a dozen or more occasions when we would get together.

There was a summer I spent some time where he lived.  There were a few visits to California to see my brother and I when I was in high school.  There was a time I visited Dad when I met my Dad and we had a road trip when I was in high school, I saw him briefly in Susanville before I went to teach camp in Maine and there was a time when Dad came out to Colorado for Christmas when I was in college.  I saw him once at Aunt Gloria’s cabin.  He attended both my high school and college graduations.    I drove hours up to Crescent City to visited him in jail to let him know I was getting married. I visited him in Colorado when he was sick with cancer before he passed.

My father would say he didn’t know how to be a father because his own father died before he was born.  His mother remarried and all of the kids helped her work on the dairy her new husband ran.  The girls would cook over a wood cookstove and do laundry by hand for the men who worked in the cookhouse.  Dad would milk the dairy cows.  They had a difficult life.

I share this with you, because like myself, you may have an image of what it means to be a Father that has been formed by a Father that didn’t give you the love you so desperately needed.

Somewhere along the way a friend shared with me a copy of “Father’s Love Letter” (www.fathersloveletter.com).  I realized that our Father in Heaven is a perfect father, he will meet all of my needs and not disappoint me.  Here is the letter with scripture references.  

My Child… You may not know me, but I know everything about you. I know when you sit down and when you rise up.  I am familiar with all your ways (Psalm 139:1-3). Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:29-31). For you were made in my image (Genesis 1:27) In me you live and move and have your being. For you are my offspring (Acts 17:28) I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jeremiah 1:4-5) I chose you when I planned creation. (Ephesians 1:11-12) You were not a mistake. (Psalm 139:15-16)  I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. (Acts 17:26)  You are fearfully and wonderfully made. I knit you together in your mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13-14)  And brought you forth on the day you were born. (Psalm 71:6)  …

It is my desire to lavish my love on you simply because you are my child and I am your Father (1 John 3:1). I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 7:11). For I am a perfect Father (Matthew 5:48).  Every good gift you receive comes from my hand.  (James 1:17). For I am your provider and I meet all your needs (Matthew 5:31-33). My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11).   Because I love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).  My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore (Psalm 139:17-18).  And I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).  I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32:40).  For you are my treasured possession (Exodus 19:5).  I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul (Jeremiah 32:41).  And I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah 33:3).  If you seek me with all of your heart, you will find me.  (Deuteronomy 4:29)  Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart.  For it is I who gave you those desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4)  For it is I who gave you those desires. (Philippians 2:13) I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. (Ephesians 3:20).  For I am your greatest encourager (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)  I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)  When you are broken-hearted, I am close to you. (Psalm 34:18)  As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40:11)  One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes.  And I will take away all he pain you have stuffed on this earth. (Revelations 21:3-4)  I am your Father and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus (John 17:23)  For in Jesus my love for you is revealed. (John 17:26)  He is the exact representation of my being (Hebrews 1:3)  And He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you.  (Romans 8:31)  And to tell you taht I am not counting your sins.  Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).  His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you.  (1 John 4:10)   I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love (Romans 8:32).  If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me (1 John 2:23).  And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. (Romans 8:38-39)  Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. (Luke 15:7)  I have always been Father and will always be Father (Ephesians 3:14-15)  My question is… Will you be my child?  (John 1:12-13)   I am waiting for you… (Luke 15:11-32)

Love Your Dad, Alright God