I’ve not processed the words I’m about to write. I have cried at just the thought of them.

My Daddy is not here this Fathers Day. He left to be with Jesus in January. It’s the first without him, and it hurts so incredibly much.

I want just one more hug. I want to hear his voice saying, “Hi, baby doll” or “You sure do look pretty, sweetheart”.

Even at my (past 50) age, my Daddy had a way of making me feel like his beautiful little girl.

Even with dementia, he continued to tell me, he’d “be right there for me if I needed him”.

And oh, how I wish he could do just that today—my first Father’s Day without the most wonderful father a person could ever have.

He was a gift to me, a precious gift from God, because of how he loved me. I am convinced that to be loved, truly loved, by an earthly father absolutely helps one to believe in the unconditional love of the Heavenly Father.

And it’s not that my dad ever excused my sin; in fact, he did just the opposite. He called wrong things wrong, and expected me to always choose better.

He absolutely held a firm line of truth, and expected me to choose biblically right things, but all the while, he balanced everything with mountains of love.

What’s amazing is, my Dad didn’t grow up with this modeled for him; and I know that’s the case for many these days.

But my dad surrendered his life to Jesus and THAT changed everything. God changed everything. And God will do this for anyone —no matter what your family was like.

God gave my dad just what he needed to be one of the greatest dads, and most wonderful men this earth has ever seen. His life not only impacted his family but so many as a teacher and coach.

Oh, how I miss him. I’m a bucket of tears this morning because I can’t hug his neck and tell him, “Happy Father’s Day!”

But I’m so thankful that my Dad knows Jesus, and because of what Jesus did in and through my daddy, it was easier for me to know Jesus too.

I absolutely know I was given much when God gave me Buddy Pope for a dad.

Thank you, Lord.

And thank you, Daddy…and because of our Heavenly Father, I know I will see you again.

Oh, that all may have and know this blessing and this blessed assurance that comes only from a life surrendered to Christ.

fathersday

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