As we honor our dads on this Father’s Day weekend, I would like to share with you a special memory of mine.
When I was a young child, my father worked in the phosphate mines in Central Florida. After a series of accidents and injuries at the work site, the company launched a safety campaign with a goal of reaching one million man-hours of accident-free labor. Overhearing his conversations with my mother about what happened at work, my simple mind began to comprehend that my dad was working in a potentially dangerous place. As Dad would leave for his job in the pre-dawn hours each morning, I began the habit of running to the door and calling out into the darkness, “Daddy, don’t fall!” It was my best way of conveying to him that I loved him and wanted him to be careful. (The company did reach their goal and rewarded each employee with a new digital clock—a nice gift in the 1970’s.) And though I didn’t completely understand the enormity of my father’s hard work and sacrifices to support his family, I was very proud of him just for being my Daddy (and I still am!).
In a way, my small shout-out to my Daddy was also like a plea for protection to an even greater Father who loves and cares for His children. God sees us and knows what we are going through. He is concerned for our safety and places His hedge of protection around us to shield us from the threats of the enemy. When we get overwhelmed and feel our faith slipping and don’t even know how to pray, we can simply call out to Him for help, and He will catch us in His arms.
“Unless the LORD had been my help, My soul would soon have settled in silence. If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.” (Psalm 94:17-19)
The same loving and tender Heavenly Father who kept my dad from harm and danger still guards each of His precious children. He is taller than all our problems, bigger than any obstacle the devil can throw in our way, wiser than any shrewd tactic the enemy can deceive us with, stronger than any power that Satan tries to overcome us with. He has promised to go with us and never forsake us and to help us every step of our way.
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
When you reach a point of fear or anxiety or uncertainty with your situation, He is as close as the mention of His name. When you are in a dark and despairing place, you can give a shout-out to your Father and simply cry, “Daddy, don’t let me fall!” and He will come running to your aid. It takes the smallest amount of faith to call out to Him, faith the size of a mustard seed, but that is all you need to tap into the heartbeat of your Father in Heaven.
“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father’. (Romans 8:15)
So, we give a shout-out to all the dads in our lives today who devote themselves to the care and support of their families. And Dads, know that you too have an even greater Father who is caring and supporting you in every circumstance you may face. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
Happy Father’s Day!!!
–dmrf