This week we are celebrating Dad’s everywhere! The grillers. The tellers of bad jokes.  The fixer’s. The wearers of tube socks and Dad shoes… 

But in all seriousness, I love that we take a day to acknowledge this important job that has been given to these chosen men by God, who models for us in His Word just exactly what a Father is.

I’ve been so lucky. Growing up, I had a hard-working Dad who toiled away long hours in less-than-ideal conditions to give our family the best of everything. He could always fix anything, and if he couldn’t fix it, he always had a friend who he could call to help him figure it out. He’s a good friend, listens to my endless rants and stories without complaining on a daily basis. He loves my kids and will do anything for us.

I always heard that young girls will grow up to marry someone just like their Dads. I didn’t believe that until my husband over the years has grown to resemble my Dad more and more! My Dad has taught him how to fix anything, (my Dad actually calls HIM to come fix things at his house now!) he also has the drive to work hard for his family. It’s a funny thing actually, because I didn’t ask for it, but God knew just exactly what me and my girls needed in a provider. And He provided for us!

But how often does Dad’s work go unnoticed? 

Who thinks to acknowledge their Dad when a hair clog mysteriously disappears out of the shower drain? Or what kids notice that the lawn is perfectly edged? Do they see the long hours spent in the freezing cold or blistering heat to bring home a paycheck? 

Likely not. But Dads love their kids, so the work carries on, even when it goes unnoticed.

Hosea 11:1-4 (NIV) says:

“When Israel was a child, I loved him,

    and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 But the more they were called,
    the more they went away from me.
They sacrificed to the Baals
    and they burned incense to images.
3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
    taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
    it was I who healed them.
4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
    with ties of love.
To them I was like one who lifts
    a little child to the cheek,
    and I bent down to feed them.”

Hosea 11:1-4 (NIV)

I love this image of God our Father. Just like the Dad/child relationship I described above, God’s people were missing the things that He was doing for them. The picture of God teaching His child to walk by holding them by the arms, or of Him bending down to feed them. I just love that! But what does the writer say the people do? 

The more God calls to them, the further they went from Him. They didn’t realize it was Him who was doing all of those things for them.

We need to remember today that we are all God’s children, and just like my husband and Dad love me and my children, God loves and cares for us. 

 

“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

Matthew 6:26

Just like the Dad who unclogs the drain, edges the lawn or runs to the grocery store to help out with dinner, God sees each and every one of our needs and tends to them. We don’t always see it, we often don’t realize it. We might even think that He’s getting it wrong because we think we know better. But if He cares for the birds, how much more does He love to care for those that He calls His sons and daughters!?!

This Fathers day, acknowledge the Fathers in your life. They may not be your own Dad, but I’m sure you know someone who has influenced you in a positive and Dad-like way. And take some quiet minutes to thank your Heavenly Father who makes all of those relationships possible in the first place ♥️

Mini Bible Study

Apply what you’ve learned

***If you are new to Gathered & Sown and Bible journaling, watch this short video first***
♡ We only glossed over one aspect of God as our Father, Him being our provider and the one who loves us. But being a Father mean many other things. This week, read and journal the following Bible passages and see what you learn about God our Father.

  1.  Isaiah 64:8
  2.  Acts 17:24-28
  3.  Psalm 103:8-13
  4.  Luke 12:29-31
  5.  Proverbs 3:11-12
  6.  Hebrews 12:5-6
  7.  Jeremiah 31:9
  8.  Galatians 3:26 

 

♡ Some of us took a while to realize that God is indeed our Father. We may have spent many years running from Him. But does that mean that we are His children any less?

  1. John 1:12-13
  2.  Romans 8:14-17
  3.  Galatians 4:5-7
  4. Hebrews 2:11

♡ This week, spend some time in prayer thanking God. Look for the little ways that He has been caring for you and write them down in your journal. Pay attention to things that you may have missed in the busy-ness of your day to day life. Thank Him for caring for you even when you didn’t realize that you needed it.
   

Learn what the Bible has to say about prayer.

Would you like some more references from the Bible that you can read and journal about this week? If so, I made you a printable that you can tuck into your bible or journal and dive deeper into prayer on your own.

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10 Responses

  1. A father is a wonderful gift. And our God is a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

    1. Kathy,
      This is such a beautiful reminder! Thank you so much for sharing, and hopefully encouraging someone else who is reading this with a heavy heart ♥️

    1. Lori (Sorry, Mrs. TenHoor!!! I feel so disrespectful using your name, all of these years later,lol!!) I appreciate that so much. I love that you read them! Just remember, if you ever like anything that you see, you played a part of that. Teachers are a blessing ♥️

  2. Good messages. I don’t have my dad, husband, or grandfathers. I do have a caring father in law though.

    1. Debbie, I’m so sorry to remember your losses, but what an encouragement to acknowledge your Father in Law who is trying to fill the gaps in any way he can. He sounds like an amazing man!

  3. Such a good reminder of how much He does for us and we don’t even notice it. Unfortunately, I do not have my dad or step dad to spend it with or even talk to. Both of them have passed away. I miss them dearly and long for a chance to tell them that I love them.

    1. It’s so hard on these holidays when we are not only reminded of what we’ve lost, but it can surround you in an uncomfortable way when the wounds are fresh. I’m so sorry that you are going through this♥️

    2. Thank you so much for being such a wonderful inspiration to us all. I have seen affect your witness has had on my own daughter, Jenniffer.
      stay strong in Christ and open to us. You are a blessing

      1. Arlene,
        Thank you so much for that!! It’s just crazy how God brings people together for a season, then I don’t see or hear from you guys for what,…30 years (?!?!) and now He brought us back together once again. His timing is always perfect, and I’m the one blessed to have you and Jenniffer back in my life! Thank you for following what I’m doing, it’s so great and encouraging to hear that you notice ☺️