A Brand New Father's Day

May I share something very personal with you? I hesitate to do so because some things ought to be private, especially in our relationship with the Lord. But I feel such an urging to share my heart today because it really does testify of God's extravagant grace. I am certain that what I have to share may challenge many of you to take the next step in your faith walk.

Many of you know that my father has not spoken to me in 18 months. It has been a difficult season of grieving, healing, grieving again, and most recently a profound healing. I've dreaded father's day even in the midst of celebrating my husband. This morning was markedly different. My heart overflowed with gratitude and love for my Heavenly Father like never before. I was tugged out of bed by the Holy Spirit earlier than any other morning in the past few weeks. I poured a hot cup of coffee, snuggled into my chair, and began to write in my prayer journal. The outpouring of my heart took me by surprise, and God's answer was life-transforming. I want to share it with you. You need this truth, too, on what should be the best day of the year -- celebrating our Heavenly Father.

6.21.09 Father's Day

Happy Father's Day! You are my only dad. Really. It is sad, but also good. I can turn to you and know that I am loved and provided for. That is more than most have in this world--more than they know or realize. You have been so good to me. You have brought me through trail and challenge. You have given me good things and hardships to develop my character, cause me to see my own depravity, and recognize my need for a Savior. Thank you, Lord. I am who I am because you are who you are. You made me. You know all the days of my life. You are proud of me, love me, and cherish me. Thank you, Abba. Thank you for making me feel like a beloved daughter today instead of as an orphan. You have not left me -- no way, no how. Thank you, DAD! Thank you! Please, Father, all that I ask of you today is for you to fill my father's heart with yourself and draw him near to you. In Jesus Name. Amen.

I sat in silence for a short time, anticipating my Bible study homework. But I was distracted by the thoughts spewing around in my mind.

"You are a disappointment."

I knew, because of much pain and healing this past week that the Enemy was on me again. He seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. He is the father of lies, and wanted to rule my mind and rob my joy. So I did what I am learning to do. Pray! Again! I picked up my journal,

Lord, the lie that I hear over and over again is that I am my father's "greatest disappointment." I know this is not true. What he said is that he is disappointed in me. I know that he spoke from hurt, and I know it is about much more than me. Yet emotionally, I process all this as "You are a disappointment." This is the greatest lie Satan spins my way. What is the truth you have for me? Jesus what do you say about this? Speak, for your servant is listening.

I sat quietly. I begged again for truth from the Word. I sat longer. Jesus spoke.

You are not a disappointment and you already know that...because you are saved by GRACE through faith not by works. (Ephesians 2:8)

Your worth is in the cross. Is my death not enough for you? Is it not enough to prove my love for you through my death and resurrection? For proving that you are worth dying for. You are loved, because of who you are -- my daughter -- not because of what you do.

What a life-transforming truth that hit me straight in the heart, like never before. I prayed again and came to one more profound truth...

Thank you Jesus for speaking your truth to me. Help me to live in it today and always.

Disappointment is the earthly expression of a broken heart being put on another soul that can not heal it.

My sweet friends, you are not a disappoint to the Lord, either. You don't need to be more than you are. You worth is not wrapped up in what you do, what you accomplish, what label you carry, how many followers or hits you have, what role you play in any of your relationships. You are a child of the Most High God who sent His one and only Son to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. He rose again and sits at the right hand of the Father. He is our righteousness. He is our worth. Is His life in exchange for yours not enough? Now live like you know it is!

By His Grace, always and only,

Worship the Lord, yield yourself to His truth!