I stood in front of the Father’s Day selection of cards this week and allowed myself five minutes to read and feel whatever emotion the words prompted in me. Those moments mark the third time I’ve quietly mourned the fact that my dad is no longer here to spoil on Father’s Day. The ritual was less painful this year than last. I’m learning how to incorporate the belief that Dad is living in a heavenly place, with a promise of life ever after. My hope is that such knowledge can eventually produce genuine joy and increase my comfort level as I live without the benefit of his physical presence.
Dad’s last words to me, spoken in a whisper, gift me this Father’s Day: “Your love sustains me.” The night I heard these words I was buoyed to know my presence was helpful as he faced his final days. Today, they are my words as well, spoken to God who is becoming more of the father He promised to be all along.
It’s a simple yet profound goal: Experience God just as I interacted with my “earthly” father. Run His way in those hilltop, over the moon, blissful moments just as I would run into my dad’s arms and rejoice that all was right with my world. Then run God’s way when my world darkens, when I wonder how I’ll take my next breath, when I worry my tears won’t stop, and when it seems as though the pain I am feeling might never end.
Writer Glenn Clark, in his book, “The Soul’s Sincere Desire,” attempts to explain God’s desire for us to turn His way when we are desperate for comfort and rest; when we realize that His strength is the only way to counterbalance our troubles and disappointments, handicaps and difficult circumstances. Clark does this by retelling the Greek mythological story of Hercules who decided to wrestle the giant Antaeus. After a couple of turns with him Hercules realizes that Antaeus is powered only when he stays grounded to his mother earth. With this new insight, Hercules draws Antaeus off the ground and is able to gain control over him in a bear hug.
Each time, the author points out, that we pull away from God when we are hurt, we lose our ability to see the lessons; to grow into deeper and stronger individuals; to find happiness and energy and dream new dreams once again.
The moment we turn toward our source of power, to a loving and personal God who longs to be a heavenly father playing a vital role in our daily lives, God will readily renew our strength. Clark goes even farther by challenging us with this notion: Our growth in power and happiness depends upon the number of seconds out of each 24 hours that we are resting in God.
How does this translate into real-world experiences? God may be creator of the earth but He also interacts with us as a father does. He draws near to nurture and comfort, interact and strengthen. Not only that but He will provide divine intervention and healing as well as hope and energy for new adventures. This can be experienced with increased clarity when there are other believers about who long for this same promise of rest; who choose to worship with you, study beside you, and enjoy meals with you. They are believers who have artistic expression to share, stories to tell, prayers to whisper.
God calls us children. In freedom we can call him Father. Out of love He will sustain us.st Church, Living Hope Foursquare Church, and the Honey Bear.
