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.
Do
you know God personally? Read:
Peace with God
