Father's Day

We celebrate Father's Day this weekend. Well, at least some of us do. Many of us don't exactly call it a celebration. I have a friend whose daughter died last fall. Her birthday is Father's Day. Kinda tough to call that a celebration. I know of others whose fathers abandoned them at some point in their life. "Father" is not exactly an endearing term. Others have been abused, ignored or rejected by the man they know as Dad. For them, it is just as well to ignore Sunday as a special day.


Perhaps if you fall into those latter categories where you've been hurt by the number one man in your life, then I know that your heart is longing to be loved and valued by a man. Regardless of whether you are male or female, a father's touch is your desire. It's a hug or embrace or even a pat on the shoulder that communicates value, especially when it comes from Dad. How many have spent their lives trying to measure up or be good enough to achieve Dad's approval, only to be disappointed that he ended up in someone else's home?


I offer only a word of encouragement: Let it go. Remember that forgiveness is not about the other person. It's about you & your heart. Forgiveness releases you, not the other person. And remember that forgiveness is not a feeling. It's a choice. You decide to forgive and let it go. And you continue every day to decide to let it go. "I released that hurt feeling & I refuse to allow it control of my life anymore." If Dad was the abuser in your life, he will have to live with that. But you don't have to live with it. You can be free. Let it go. It's not easy. It will not come without a struggle. But it can come. With God's help, you can be free. Let it go.