Happy Father’s Day, Daddy!

Here it is. Again. Every year since 1992 has brought an emotional introspection on this day, the same as the anniversary date of your unexpected departure. I still can’t read Father’s Day cards without shedding tears, so I just don’t. But I still have some of the old cards I sent you, that you saved. And some of the books I bought for you. I have the book you gave me from your shelf because the heroine had my name. The pain has finally subsided and though the emptiness is still felt, it is filling up with precious memories that I hold dear, even the memory of our last day together, the day neither of us expected. So today when our pastor gave us his scripture reference as John 10, the tears came sweetly as I remembered again the day you brought all your girls into the den and opened your Bible to teach us about Jesus, our good shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep. I found a coffee mug at a flea market with that verse. I knew God put it there just for me. Just like I know today’s passage was a whisper from Jesus, my Savior, on this special day…because I know my Shepherd’s voice when I hear it, and I follow Him. Thank you, Daddy, for teaching me the Truth.

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
‭‭– John‬ ‭10‬:‭25‬-‭30‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

Thank you, Lord, for giving me my Daddy forever.