Happy Father’s Day!

Happy Father’s Day!  Let me make a confession.  I spend lots of time thinking about a Mother’s Day gift.  I poke and prod to see what my mom wants way ahead of time.  But Father’s Day…well, that’s a different story.

It is no secret that I don’t have a close relationship with my biological father or stepfather (is ex-stepfather a term)?  And while I have many men in my life that have stepped in to fill in the gap, I’m not as intentional about giving them the honor that they deserve.  Clearly, that’s a character flaw of mine.  I need to do better.  I need to be better.

My biological father was absent for most of my childhood, but I have one memory of him that sticks in my mind.  I can’t remember which birthday it was, but he promised me that he would come to my party.  I was excited.  My party came and went.  He didn’t show up.  Although he didn’t make it, he did send money—one hundred dollars.  Can you imagine how life changing one hundred dollars is for a kid????  Shoot…it would be life changing for me today.  So 30 years ago, it was a fortune!

My mom asked me what I wanted to do with my sudden windfall.  She took me to Wal-Mart, and my imagination went wild.  Well, as wild as my little imagination went.  My desires were simple.  I wanted a bike and as many books as that money would get me.  That’s what we bought.  The bike was stolen years later.  The books became worn.  But the memory remains.

And what do I do with my random memories and uncharted future on this Father’s Day?  No.  Really.  That’s a real question.  I’m unsure.  I know that I can express gratitude for the gift of life.  I can be thankful for every man that took a vested interest in my life and those that didn’t.  The reality is that life does not revolve around me, and no one owes me anything.  But it is also reality to say that being pushed to the side is hurtful.

Father’s Day has to become a more important holiday for me.  I really have to be intentional about giving honor where honor is due.  For every sad memory, men have come along to plant a seed of love and hope.  Whether it was my Uncle Tweet who let me put his Jheri curl in pigtails while we watched WrestleMania, or my stepfather taking me to my one (and only) Father/Daughter dance.  I’m grateful for the men who poured into my life.

Of course, I’m grateful for God. He is the ultimate Father. He has always taken the BEST care of me. Even when I struggle with my flesh, He is patient with me. He loves me. He sends people to embrace me and be His representative on this earth. Hug your dads a little tighter today if you can.  If they’re gone, think of how blessed that you were to have them.  Happy Father’s Day!  #wepreach