Thankful

Tomorrow is Father’s Day. The history of its origin is rather vague. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recommended that Father’s Day become a national holiday, but nothing was done. Years later in 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as the official day to celebrate Father’s Day. However, it wasn’t until 1972, during the Nixon administration, that Father’s Day was officially recognized as a national holiday.

I am one lucky girl to have had two amazing fathers. My dad, whom I had for forty years, was compassionate, intelligent, loving, faithful, generous, respected, and so much more than words could ever describe. A giant in faith he was a true son of God. Best of all, he came into our lives about a decade after my daddy was called home to be with the Lord. God, our Heavenly Father, is so good and knows what we need, when we need it. He put Dad in our lives to help heal that broken spot that was ripped open when Daddy died. Dad was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. God used a bad situation for good. I am forever grateful.

Sure there are times I still miss my Daddy. He was in my life for a short twelve years. He, too, was a son of God, kind, compassionate, and giving. I have cherished memories of him.

I was blessed by both of my grandfathers, too. My paternal grandfather, Granddaddy, and I were particularly close. I was the first born on that side, and yes, spoiled rotten. My maternal grandfather, Pappaw, eleven grandchildren and loved each one of us. He always carried pieces of butterscotch candy or Juicy Fruit gum to give out. Today isn’t about tears and missing them. It is about the good memories of the time we had together. The promise of seeing them again in Heaven. It is a time to be thankful.

So, I am. Thankful for all of the men in my family. For the grandfathers, fathers, hubby, uncles, son, son-in-law, brother, brothers-in-law, nephews, and cousins. You are appreciated and loved even though you may not hear the words. Happy Father’s Day! I love you and am grateful you are in my life. To the other patriarch in our family, Uncle Gale, thank you for your Christian leadership and your love.

If you think you are alone without a father this year like I am, you are so wrong. We have our Abba that created us. Don’t forget to spend time with our Heavenly Father today. He knows us better and loves us more than anyone else ever will. Reflect on all the blessings He has given to you and your family. He is waiting to welcome us home when our time here is finished. Tell Him how much you appreciate Him.

P.S. This fudge recipe was a favorite of Dad’s and my husband, Dennis. They both wanted me to scrape the pan and give them the little bits.

The Bible says in all things give thanks, be thankful. Do you have trouble with this, too? Maybe that isn’t the easiest to do, but I keep trying. If the electricity is out, I am thankful I don’t need to get cleaned up to go out. Perhaps the glass dropped and broke, but I am thankful I wasn’t cut.

Are you seeing the pattern here? Being thankful is finding your silver lining in the dark cloud. It is knowing that things could have gone much worse but didn’t.

Sometimes being thankful is far, very far, from what I want to do. What I want to do is complain and list everything that is wrong. Maybe I want to enumerate all of the things that have failed or caused me pain and convince myself it will stay this way or possibly get worse. That, my friends, is the deceiver whispering doom and gloom in my ear. Does he do that to you, too.

Even in the darkest circumstances we can have things for which to give thanks. Years ago a young family member of mine was in a horrific accident. Damage was done to the face and I was devastated that something so terrible had happened to someone I loved with my whole heart. While many mourned the tragedy I was struck with thanks that there was still life in the body and sight in both eyes. Both could easily have been taken in that instant. Was God there at that time? Absolutely! Otherwise the outcome would have been much different. We had much to be thankful for that day and still do.

Look around at God’s wonders and beauty. There is so much He has made for us. It won’t be long and you will be thankful without even realizing it. Rejoice and be glad in the day He has given you. I try to do that in the simple things. Are you glad you were able to start your day with coffee and a devotion? Me, too, I was more than glad. I was thankful. Be thankful for the new adventure the day holds just for you. Listen to the melody of the birds as they sing. Think about the One who created a tiny creature that can do such a marvelous thing as fly! I am thankful I am able to witness that. Go into a bakery and just stand still for one deep sniff. Can you almost smell that tantalizing sweet, buttery pastry now? Now buy one. Wow! How thankful are you for those tastebuds? Touch the softness of a newborn’s little hand and marvel at the perfect way God created us. Be thankful for God Himself.

Life holds so much for us that our loving Creator has giving. Take it and see how good life can be. Be thankful in all things today. Find the good among the bad. So, what are you thankful for right now?

Father’s Day Reflections and a Recipe

In Every Thing Give Thanks