Our Father who art in Heaven…
What do you think when you consider a father in Heaven? Many of us may not have the best example by which to gauge such a relationship.
When I was in preschool my biological father left me because he “couldn’t f—ing handle” the responsibilities of family life. Or that’s what I heard.
I got the example that there were limits on what a father could put up with or endure.
We chased him across the country and spent the next year or so moving from one motel to another, playing happy family. I got held out of school a lot and had to do remedial work to catch up with the other kids.
I got the example of instability with a father.
When I was five my biological father left again. He let me outside to play on my own on the streets of Los Angeles, and he proceeded to withdraw every dime we had.
I was not given the example of a father as a provider. In fact, I was given the opposite. I didn’t see a tower of refuge, but rather someone who put me in harm’s way.
When I was eight I went to visit my biological father. He worked the whole time, and he “borrowed” my birthday money to buy himself cigarettes.
It was around that time I decided I was done with fathers, but then something unexpected happened. God sent me a dad. I was adopted to be a daughter. I was loved unconditionally, kept safe, provided for, disciplined lovingly, and taught how to lead a productive life. I was shown that I was special, beautiful, and chosen.