Doubly Blessed
God, in all his goodness, showers us with the love and good favor of a devoted father. For some, this is the only fatherly love they experience in their lifetime. For others, it is added to the love given by their earthly father, making the experience all the more special.
One morning a few years ago, I listened out my window as my then 7-year-old conversed with his granddaddy, my father who was 72 at the time. I have been blessed to experience numerous moments between my dad and my kids while we were three generations living under one roof.
It was a great joy to share the day-to-day aspects of life with my dad and have my children experience him in all his humor and his tendencies to weave a tall tale.
My dad had not always been as present in my life and it was amazing to experience those final years with him. It allowed memories to be made, and gave my children an opportunity to understand the man behind the stories I would share.
God so richly blessed me with that time with him, to share laughs and cups of coffee, take trips for groceries, watch him sneak candy to my children and take joy in their accomplishments, and to be an active part in this beautiful family God has given me.
But I have been doubly blessed, because God also blessed me with a step-dad who was such a wonderful supporter throughout my teen years and adult life. I am ever thankful for the dedication he showed to our family, for his love and support of my children, and his complete devotion to my mother. He was always a mainstay during rocky times, and helped shape us all. My children shared a special bond with him that was unique to who he was and that bond was strong.
Perhaps you are like me and have been blessed with not one, but two men who have taken on the role of “dad”. Or maybe it has just been one who filled this role. For some, there may not have been anyone on earth who stepped into these shoes and provided the love, security, and guidance that was needed.
Despite you situation, the truth is that we have all been blessed because we have been given a wonderful and mighty father in heaven who loves us beyond measure.
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love: I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3)
God carries us in the palm of his hand. He takes our burdens as his own and gives us strength when we are weak. He offers courage when we feel fear, and joy when sorrow comes. He forgives like no other, and has greater mercy than we can ever imagine.
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. (Titus 3:4-5)
God is our light in the darkness and our bridge when the waters beneath us are troubled. As much as our earthly dads love us, they still have the potential to fail us. But our father in heaven will never fail us. He is constant and unfailing.
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 36:7)
What a precious gift our earthly father is. What a cherished, incomparable blessing it is to have the love of the father above. Our dad’s love is a treasure, and God’s love is beyond measure. That, my friends, is why we are doubly blessed.
