Certain days bring back joyful memories. One such day is Father's Day. Before we go further, let me share my heartfelt Father's Day wishes to every father out there. I am well privileged to be the daughter of my dad, Mr. V. Sobitharaj, who loved me dearly more than anything. My dad used to tell me that my pastor is my spiritual father. My pastor, Steve Jeyaraj, showered me with love and wisdom. Our church was so blessed to have him as we celebrated every Mother's and Father's Day. I always made sure to surprise my dad. Most of the time, it was a creative gift like cards and small presents. But I know there is nothing I can give to repay the way he raised me. I have always heard my friends telling me about the distance they have with their fathers. I totally respected my father, but for sure, we were like best friends. There are only very few instances where I had seen him getting angry. He cared about my spiritual life, and I came to know a lot about the Bible through him and my spiritual father. The way he walked with the Lord, the way he wanted to do something for the Lord, was truly something inspiring.
Once, I remember a distant relative of mine coming to my house and sharing about his transformation (receiving salvation). He was saved in his forties. He told us that he wasted his life until then and started living and working for Christ only in his forties. My dad listened to all and later said to me, "I am glad that I started working for the Lord in my late twenties. I can say before the Lord that I never wasted my time on earth." I was a witness to it. I watched him walking closely with the Lord. I watched him being a part of many ministries. He respected every denomination, loved my mom, and was so proud of all her achievements. He acted as if she was his pride. The pastor who spoke about him at his funeral said this man never showed denomination differences. He loved God's people and His church equally. I am so proud that that was his testimony. For Christ's sake, I have seen him go through humiliation and what not, but the Lord was with him till the end. He was keen on providing us with the best. I never worried or longed for anything when he was providing for us. Whenever he bought me a dress, bangles, bags, or even chappals, he used to say, "See how good the Lord is. He is making us happy. He is providing our needs." He loved God and talked about Him as if the Lord were walking with us. He used to say, "The Lord God is with us like a lion, as He is the Lion of Judah." He integrated God into everything. He never let us down. A single blog is not enough to talk about everything he did for me. I never remember him making me cry for anything. What a great dad our God has given me.
After his passing, God told me that He would be my father. I remember how difficult it was for me to accept it. I found it very difficult to call God "Dad." I used to go mum whenever a song called God a father to us. It was a pure struggle. I know even my dad wouldn't want me to struggle like that. I was not happy at all that God took him away, even when I begged Him when he was struggling for his life. But I am slowly learning now to accept God as my dad. My God, my dad, has never forsaken me to this date. He helps me in my struggles. He is training my hands for war. He is not like my earthly dad; keeping God as my father is entirely different. He shows love in many different ways. He has helped me cross the valley of tears and has made me strong. When people around me called me a strong person, the praise goes only to Him. He gave me tough battles to become a tough warrior. He helped me brave my fears and worries. The path was not easy, and my God, my dad, never said it would be an easy walk. But He is the one who walked on water; He is making me walk over things I never thought possible in the past. My dad God walked with Daniel's friends in the fire, and He walks beside me and protects me in the fire. My dad God strengthened the faith of all who trusted Him and made them brave in their waiting, and I am pretty sure He will never fail to do that for me. With this dad God, I am in every way a blessed daughter. I love my dad God. Happy Father's Day, my dear dad God.
Dear Dad God, I pray for every dad out there. Bless them and their children. I pray also for those who miss their dads today. Be their dad, God. Help them understand Your relentless pursuit, Lord. Let them never feel abandoned. May Your loving presence be known to them. May they feel Your presence. Thank You for being a great dad, God, to me. Thank You for everything. You are the best. In Jesus' name, I thank. Amen.
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