A Good Father's Day

Way back in 1980 I lost my reason to celebrate Father's Day.  I grew up without a male influence in my life, except for the wrong kinds I used to substitute it.  Father's Day took on new meaning when I met Dan, and we began to have children together.  That's where my focus has been, until this year.  Steven now celebrates this day solo, when it used to be a day that they shared.  Last year I didn't even get to spend Father's Day with either one, I was in California helping my sister prepare for her move here.

I thought there was plenty of times.  Many other Father's Days.  I forgot that lesson taught to me in 1980.

So today was definitely bittersweet.  But I finally realized something I had never before considered - even though I was brought up in the Church.  God is my Father.  I've never been without one, because the Heavenly Father has always been there for me.  Whether I reached out or not, He was always there.  And is always there.  Thank God.

The second revelation I had was that God blessed me with another Father, a Father by marriage.  Someone who has accepted me and my children as part of his family - who has loved us unconditionally and supported us unwaiveringly.   I watch as the relationship repairs between Steven and his Dad with tears in my eyes.  It's a beautiful thing to see.  Steven's whole family is such a blessing to me, they show me how to really be a family, something I really never got to enjoy as I grew up.  I now have another supportive, loving mother, Mom2, I have another sister and a brother in law whom I geniunely like as people.  I'm honored to know them.  I even have grandparents, uncles, cousins...  I just thank God for the blessing of this wonderful family I can now call my own.

Finally, today we became members of New Hope Church.  Now I have a Spiritual Father, my Pastor Chuck Farina.  Ever since I started going there I felt accepted, supported and loved.

I miss my Dad and I miss Dan.  But God is gracious and really is a God of Abundance. 

Today Steven, Timothy and Jeremiah were baptized.  For Timothy and Jeremiah it was a gift they could give Daniel, who has already gone home.  It was a living symbol of their faith and hope in Jesus Christ, through whom we have conquered death.

And if God didn't give me enough gifts today, one of my old skirts I used to wear just a couple of years ago was falling off of me so badly I had to safety pin the four inch gap to keep it closed.  I realized one of the better feelings in the world is to shrink out of clothes you used to wear. 

So I'm just so thankful and grateful for what God is doing and has done in my life.  I pray everyone who reads this journal had a blessed day.  {{hugs to everyone}}

DAILY AFFIRMATION: I am blessed.

Calories: 1913 / 29%
Sodium: 3356mg
Calcium: 2614mg
Water: 94oz
Exercise: Free Day

RED means I didn't meet goal
*Projected