During my time of working through Wild at Heart by John Eldredge, I watched a movie that was different for me. John was talking about fathers and the wounds we often get from them. The movie was based on a book by Norman MacLean called A River Runs Through It. It was the story of a somewhat harsh (at times) Presbyterian pastor played by Tom Skerritt, and his two sons, one of whom was Brad Pitt. The father would preach on Sunday morning and knowing Sunday evening was coming and he would do it all again, he would take Sunday afternoons to walk through the woods with his sons or to fish. He especially loved to fly fish and taught his sons how to as well.
I am not a fisherman and make no pretense to be. Or to understand the mystery of fly fishing. Growing up near Pittsburgh did not afford many opportunities to fish or hunt, especially when you had a father who did neither.
It is easy to pick at our fathers-of not being there, of not teaching us or spending time with us. I’ve related that my relationship with my father was tenuous, as best. He loved baseball and so did I so I tried to excel. I see now some of it was for his approval. He didn’t like basketball but I tried to excel regardless. But I’m not here to bash my dad. I tried to be a good father but didn’t always succeed. I know how hard it is.
I’m here to talk about my other Father, my good good Father. The Father who has unquenchable love for me. The Father who has unconditional acceptance of me. The Father who spoke the Truth and kept His Word. The Father who stuck by and continues to stick with me through thick and thin; through good and bad; through sin and service. He is my good, good Father. Check out this song.
“Father, I know I could never and will never be the Father you were and are to me. But I want and need you to be my Abba, the Father who loves me unconditionally.”
Absolutely! Me, too!
I thought of you as I wrote “Abba” Diane.
I am struggling a bit this morning with Father’s Day… If I were to be completely honest.
I know I need to focus on the positive, but I am finding myself wandering into the forest of negativity.
Every regret every missed opportunity a low hanging branch slapping me in the face.
Feeling a little disconnected from our Good Good Father as well.
I think I need to redirect my thoughts to the positive… prayers appreciated.
Ryan: you are a good father. Like all of us you made your mistakes. Join the club. But I know your heart. i will pray for you my friend.
Sometimes I believe that God gave us fathers just to set us on the right foot.. usually by any means possible. The real work belongs to the mother. Not to dis Dads.. some turn out to be wonderful, but the majority of Dads are often lacking their presence in the house of children.
Thank God for His presence!
Agreed on both Ed. There are absentee fathers but there is no absentee Heavenly Father.
He is our good, good Father, indeed, Bill. That song is one of my favorites!
Blessings!
As it is mine martha. I have a plaque someone had personally made for me with some of the lyrics on it.