A Father's Care
By Kelli Beaucage
"Is there anything else you're needing,
sweetie?" my dad asked as he stuffed
three twenty dollar bills in my hand. I
was travelling back home from a family visit,
and after treating me to breakfast and filling
my car with gas, it was obvious that my
dad wanted to make sure that I would be
okay.
"No, Dad - you've done so much already.
Thank-you!" I was overwhelmed once
again by his fatherly acts of provision
- all this, despite the fact I just turned
40. Yet I realize that in my father's eyes,
I will always be his little girl. Dad takes
deep pleasure in knowing his children are
well provided for. Now that he is financially
secure, he loves to give whenever he sees
a need.
But this was not always the case. Divorced
from my mother when I was 11, my dad couldn't
be around his kids as often as he would
have liked. Money was also tight; even weekend
visits were few and far between. Nevertheless,
my dad stayed in constant communication
with us and ensured he was involved in our
lives. Though he couldn't always be there
in person, I knew he was only a phone call
away. I could always count on that.
Even now, almost 30 years later, I treasure
knowing that I can pick up the phone and
call Dad, and he'll be there for me. I have
a wonderful husband, but that hasn't changed
how Dad sees me. I'm still his child and
he loves to see that my needs are met.
I remember a time when I was shopping in
a hardware store with Dad. I mentioned my
plans to paint and border one wall in my
house. Well, that's all it took for Dad
to take action. By the time I got to the
checkout line, the border and supplies I
picked out were whisked out of my hands
and placed alongside his purchases.
Then there was the time I made the mistake
of taking him with me to do some grocery
shopping for just a few "items".
By the time we were finished, my shopping
cart was overflowing with groceries from
every aisle in the store! My sister and
I joke that if you don't want Dad to buy
it for you, avoid even mentioning you want
something.
My father's giving nature often reminds
of someone else I know - my Heavenly Father.
As I grow to know Him more each day, I recognize
that like my earthly dad, He loves to provide
for his kids. The Bible tells us that "every
good and perfect gift" comes from God.
Unlike my dad, my Heavenly Father promises
that He'll always be by my side. He's the
one "constant" in life that never
changes.
I got to know my Heavenly Father through
His Son Jesus many years ago. Jesus said,
"If you have seen me, you have seen
the Father." As Jesus went about doing
only good, His life perfectly mirrored our
Heavenly Father. That thought makes me feel
secure in knowing that God, my Father, really
cares about me and is constantly seeking
the best for me. Just like my dad.
It's wonderful having the assurance that
our Heavenly Father truly loves us. He gives
us a stability and peace that no other relationship
can provide. And every day, I'm so grateful
for having a dad who reminds me of my Heavenly
Father's love for me.
Kelli Beaucage is a freelance writer
and ordained minister. She and her husband,
Leonard, pastor a church in Saskatchewan,
Canada.
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