When I was 4 or 5 years old, I remember going flying with my Dad. He was an experienced pilot and loved flying a Glider, sometimes called a Sailplane. It’s a light aircraft with no engine that is designed to stay aloft for long periods soaring on currents of air.
I don’t have a complete recollection of the day, just bits and pieces of memories. I remember the feeling of the plane lifting off the ground and being pulled higher and higher by the tow plane in front of us. I remember the black tweed coat with white faux fur trim I was wearing.
When the tow plane released us, I remember the plane being lifted up and down and curving this way and that on the air currents. During the flight I remember my tummy started to feel bad. I told my Dad. He assured me we would be back on the ground soon. It wasn’t quite soon enough as it turned out. Right when we touched down on the runway, my breakfast came up…all over my pretty tweed coat.
My Dad was very apologetic, and in spite of getting sick, I loved being with him. I’ve even been flying with him several times since then, with much better results!
No father is perfect but my parents loved my sister and me and raised us well. He worked hard and taught me a lot of the values I still have today. We live in different states now so I don’t see him as much as I would like, but I know if I need him, he’ll be there for me.
Your life experience may be different than mine. Either your dad wasn’t present for you growing up, or if he was, maybe your memories are more negative than positive. Maybe you didn’t feel loved or protected by him. Whether your relationship with your earthly father is wonderful or filled with turmoil or just emptiness, there is another Father who loves you perfectly and protects you completely.
If you are searching for someone to take the place of an imperfect father, our Perfect Heavenly Father is just a prayer away.
Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. Psalms 27:10
Father to the fatherless, defender of widows— this is God, whose dwelling is holy. Psalms 68:5
Our Heavenly Father is always here to guide, correct, and provide for us.
For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:12
Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Matthew 6:26
Our Heavenly Father loves us with a perfect love. We are His children!
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. 1 John 3:1
Even the best earthly fathers make mistakes. No one this side of heaven is perfect. But most dads do their very best with their children.
If you grew up without a loving and supportive dad, thank God for being your Father.
If your relationship with your dad is strained, maybe this is the time to begin bridging that gap.
If you were fortunate enough to have a loving father or father-figure, thank him for all he has done for you. He will appreciate hearing it.
Happy Father’s Day!
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “ Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15
