Father’s Day, 2026

I haven’t thought much about this day for a very long time since my Father’s passing. I also haven’t thought about this day even when my Father was alive as he was not very involved in my life. 

However, several years ago I saw a sweet commercial with a father and his young daughter. At the end of the commercial, the father hugged his daughter and she hugged him back very lovingly.  I remember thinking (very nonchalantly) that I would never have that opportunity again as my time for reconciliation has passed, so I just shut the lights and went to bed.

The next day I went to Church (as my custom) and the Pastor had invited a guest preacher to speak to the congregation.  At the end of the service, the preacher asked the congregation to come forward and form a circle so he can pray over everybody individually. 

At first I thought he was going to start his prayer with me, but he didn’t and he began praying over people for their marriages, children, illnesses, financial matters, etc.. But as he completed the circle, he walked towards me… then stopped… waited a few seconds… then gently asked me “if he could hug me the way a father would hug his daughter?” I lost it! I started to cry like a baby. God heard my heart the night before!  The discussion in my head were just my thoughts… but to God it was so much more! He saw a wound in His daughter’s heart (that I did not realize was there) and used that preacher to give me a hug straight from my Heavenly Father!  It wasn’t like I told anyone about this-God, in His endless love just wanted me to know that I am loved so much that He used human means to embrace me. “And, I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6;18)

God always surprises me. Especially during difficult times when I forget that: a) God loves Me! b) God found me and asked me to be His child; and c)  that “He said He will never leave me; nor forsake me”. “The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” (Psalm 145: 9)

God, through His Son Jesus, is a gentleman. He pursues, but does not overwhelm. He knocks on the door of our hearts and waits to be received. He does not force His way in to anyone’s life because accepting Him is our choice. The funny part is so many people try to “hide” from Him when it’s really silly to think that. It’s like when you see a neighbor coming that you may not want to deal with-so you shut the lights and be as quiet as possible until they go away, but the neighbor keeps knocking on the door, calling your name and says “I know you’re in there!”  People may do that, but Jesus does not do that. As a matter of fact Jesus says: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20).      

If you notice in the picture of Jesus knocking on the door, you will see that there is no doorknob on the outside of the door. Therefore, the door only opens from the inside to let someone in.  Jesus will only enter if welcomed.  

 Please continue to join me at A Renewed Heart as we grow together throughout our journey.