A Father's Love

My senior year in college I became engaged to a deeply wounded man. Young and stubborn, I dismissed the warning signs of his temper and the lies he often told. One summer day I was on the phone with him and knew in my gut something was wrong. I got in my car and drove to his house. My prayer, “God, please let me see what I need to see so I can move on.” Sure enough, as I pulled up, there was my fiancé with another woman. What happened next, I certainly didn’t anticipate. He went into a rage demanding I leave. All 4’10” of me, full of anger and hurt was not having it. Hands on hips, fury I imagine written all over my face, I said “I almost married you. The very least you owe me is an explanation.” The next thing I knew I was lying on my back on the street. He had picked me up and thrown me down. Then he and the woman drove away.

Police were involved and a court date was set so I could get a restraining order. I had so many emotions. I found myself going back and forth between feelings of fear and conviction that I was fine. I could handle this. When my court date arrived, my Dad offered to go with me. I told him he didn’t need to. I had learned my ex wasn’t going to be there so felt safe and capable of going alone. More than that, I wanted to feel in control, and had convinced myself I was fully capable of getting through this situation on my own. 

My Dad wasn’t having it. He knew I was hurting. He knew while I was convinced I could handle what I was facing, the truth was I needed help. I needed support. I needed comfort. Not taking no for an answer, he made it clear he was going with me. As we pulled into the court parking lot, I felt the blood drain from my face as I saw my ex, who was not supposed to be there, in the car in front of me. My voice soft as I whispered to my dad in disbelief, sadness, and a bit of fear “he said he wasn’t coming.” My father looked at me, and with the fierceness of a father who in no uncertain terms was not going to let anything happen to his daughter, “It’s going to be ok.” Behind those five words was a power difficult to describe. My fear fled. As did my ex when he saw I was not alone and that my father was with me. While my ex could physically outpower me, he had nothing on my father.

Friends, what my earthy dad did for me that day is a beautiful picture of what our Heavenly Father offers us every day. He is an ever-present protector, defender, comforter, counselor. Psalm 139 shows us God knit us in our mother’s womb. What that verse shows us is that before we took our first breath, he has been with us. This is true whether you know him or not, whether you’ve accepted him into your life or haven’t yet. He is there, he has always been there, and He is with you right now, at this very moment. God sees your pain, your struggle. He knows the burdens you’re carrying. The fear, the wounding, the hurt from childhood that hasn’t yet healed. The struggle with addiction. The decision you made you wish you could undo. His desire is to take your pain, your heartbreak, your worries, your battles, and fight them for you.

Too often we think our only option is to make it through our pain and struggles in our own strength. We’ve all been there and it’s exhausting. In my experience, it doesn’t turn out well. But when I ask God to help, when I invite him in, I’ve seen him take my greatest pain, the darkest situations, times when there’s nothing I can do to fix it, and He makes a way. He will not only see you through whatever you’re facing, he will bring you peace in the midst of the battle. He will comfort you as only he can. He will take your broken heart and not only mend it, he’ll fill it with his love, giving you a heart more full, more joyful than you thought possible.

Friends, to see God move, we need to invite him in. I encourage you, right now, take 5 minutes, close your eyes, and go to God in prayer. God knows your heart and what you’re facing. He’s not looking for fancy words. His arms are outstretched, ready to embrace you with his love and comfort, shower you with his love and move in your situation as only he can. Will you go to him today? In those moments my prayers are often a few simple words “God, I need you. Will you help me?”. Eight simple words and my father not only hears, he makes mountains move.

If we can be praying for you, praying for your situation, please know we’d be honored to do so. We have experienced the power of prayer and we’d love to cover you in prayer. Simply visit calvarylg.com/welcome or email blog@calvarylg.com.

Blessing you with peace, hope, trust in our Heavenly Father.