My daddy celebrated his 84th birthday recently. I got to share a part of his day with him. I got to see how he shared it with each one of his kids and some grandkids. I learned a few things.
My daddy loves each of his children equally. He deals with us individually. My daddy was happy to see me even though he and mom had to drive all the way to Tulsa. My daddy loves me and he loves his family deeply.
My daddy’s body has slowed down but his spirit is still there. I see the twinkle in his eyes. I see the memories bright on his face.
My daddy is happy. My daddy gently teases my mom and I. He teases to bring smiles to our faces.
I found that my son has many of his qualities and if I look, so does my husband. I remember praying many years ago for a husband. I didn’t know it at the time but I wanted a man like my daddy.
I wanted a man who would always love me no matter what. I wanted a man who has integrity in the face of life. I wanted a man with compassion and love. I wanted a man not afraid to show his feelings. I wanted a man sincere at heart. I wanted a man who follows after God.
In the future I will have to let my daddy go to God. But I will have his likeness – not a duplicate – but a likeness in my son. They both have an interest in how things work. They both have the compassion for others. They both have a love of teasing. They both love their family and stay involved with them. They both have a quick mind. They both are interested in so many things.
I found these things in my son and in my husband. I have been greatly blessed by such a father. But for those without these blessings God still has a plan for you.
I heard this song recently, “He Knows My Name” by Tommy Walker. He wrote this song because: “In 1997, I met a seven year-old orphan in the Philippines named Jerry,” Tommy explains. “Every day he would ask, ‘Tommy, what is my name?’ Not many people on this earth knew this abandoned, extremely poor boy’s name. I was able to tell him and his other orphaned friends that someone much greater than I did.”
“The song serves as a prayer for the abandoned, nameless, friendless and forgotten to say, ‘He knows my name.’ There is nothing more powerful than to know and declare that the God of heaven knows us and loves us.”
The song touched my heart as I sang the words: “I have a Father, He calls me His own. He’ll never leave me, No matter where I go. He knows my name. He knows my every thought. He sees each tear that falls. And hears me when I call.”
Even when my daddy is no longer here, he will still be with me in my heart. And my heavenly Father will always be with me. He will never leave me, no matter what.
My hope is that everyone will know what it means to have a Father who loves them and knows their name.
To hear the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkw3a4raWfg&feature=fvw
Jeremiah 1:5 before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you
Matthew 7:7-11 don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate?
As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?
Matthew 6:18 God doesn’t require attention-getting devices. He won’t overlook what you are doing
Matthew 6:30-33 If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.
Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
I love you daddy. Your Annaka
