The text “Who’s Your Daddy” which I have heard Priscilla Shirer so eloquently orotate is very special to me. I just love it! Just the word “Daddy” gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. This Sunday is Father’s Day, and I know that it can be really hard for many of us for lots of different reasons. I want to encourage you to accept God’s peace and lay your burdens at His feet. He is your Father in Heaven and has already taken care of it all for you.

According to the world’s standards, I am an orphan, but I do not claim that title. My Heavenly Father says that I am His child in John 1:12, “But to all who have received Him-those who believe in His name-He has given the right to become God’s children.” Did you catch that? The God of the universe is your father. Believe in Him and accept Him as your Lord and Savior.

I had a “drug problem” growing up in rural Georgia in the 70s and 80s. (Yes, the 1900s!) I certainly did! My mama drug me to church every time those doors were open!!! And you know what? I thank my God that I had a Mama who did just that! I also thank God that I had a daddy who supported her and made me go when I would whine and beg to stay home with him. Yeah, that is right, Daddy did not go to church with us. And yes, that would have been the best scenario for our family, at least I suspect it would have been, but it was not my reality.

Now, I was a Daddy’s Girl! I thought that man did no wrong, and what he said was gold! After all, he was the “fun” one. He had a mischievous grin that told me when he “was up to something.” He always gave free pony rides on his back, and after we would get the irrigation running on the farm, he and and I would run under the water screaming and laughing at the top of our lungs without a care in the world. I could sit in that man’s lap and talk him into about anything until literally right before he died. But, ya’ll, of course, I know, my daddy was flawed just like I am flawed. My daddy let me down sometimes-not because he did not love me but because he was human. I was the daughter of an alcoholic, and that has brought great turmoil into the life of our family. Bless my Mama’s heart, she stuck it out until God called her home way too early, in my opinion. At the age of 62, she hemorrhaged to death, and Daddy and I watched it. Mama made sure my sister and I were brought up in the church. She was a godly woman. To this day, I don’t know how she put up with us, especially “the alcoholic husband,” but then again “love does cover a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).

After mama died, I saw a real change in Daddy. I witnessed to him several times. He had a lot of questions. He gave his life to the Lord a couple of years before he died. I praise God for that! People in town told me that Daddy would sit at Mama’s grave for hours at the time. He would have me buy the nicest, prettiest flowers for her grave, but excuse my language-he often made her life on earth hell. I don’t remember him ever giving her flowers when she was living. Yes, he loved her-in his way-just like we all show our love differently.

I loved my daddy, and he loved me! But he failed me a lot just as I am sure I have failed my children. Daddy lived almost three years after Mama died. Since Mama and Daddy have been gone, I have been drawn closer to God than ever. I mean who else do you turn to when your husband has been run over and dragged down the road while working, and your finances are less than stellar, or when your youngest child of only 8 is diagnosed with cancer? I wanted Mama and Daddy. Sometimes, I still do, but no one and nothing on this side of Heaven can fill the longing in our hearts that God can. He is our comfort, our strength, our joy, our everything.

We frail humans turn to many things and people to try to fill us, but friend, we must not expect this from anyone. No one can ever do what Jesus did for us, so I just wanted a little of your time to brag on our wonderful Heavenly Father who will meet everyone of our needs every single time. Yes, I have have had some trying times in my life, and I am sure you have as well. I pray that when trials hit that they will always drive us straight into the arms of Jesus-the Father who will never let us down. In Him, we have complete joy and everlasting life if we choose to accept His free gift.

I hope this Sunday is a day full of joy and peace for you. Remember, run fast and hard into the arms of your Heavenly Father. He will comfort and sustain you. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8).

Bible Verses to encourage you

“But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe His name.” John 1:12

“For you are all childrenof God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the sainst and member of the household of God.” Ephesians 2:19

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights , who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. If indeed we share in his suffereings in order that we may also share in His glory.” Romans 8:17

The words to “Whose Your Daddy?” can be found in the DVD Bible Study Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed. A Study of David. Video Session 1. By Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur