This week's Sunday Inspiration. comes from 2 Corinthians 6:18.
For many, Father's Day is a joyous occasion filled with celebrations of the special bond between fathers and their children. However, for those who have lost their dads, this day can be tinged with sadness and longing.
The absence of a beloved father figure can leave a void that's hard to fill, especially on a day meant to honor them.
Father's Day without your Dad can be hard. But did you know that in 2 Corinthians 6:18 the Lord mentions that He will be a father to you?
My Dad has been gone for 12 years now and not a day goes by without me thinking about him and missing him.
Here's a photo of my father with his older brother, Fred, growing up in Germany. My father grew up on a farm in Germany.
Make your Father's Favorite Recipe
But what do you do for Father's Day when your dad is gone? Especially when all of social media is full of photos of dad's?
One way you can celebrate the holiday without feeling sad is to make a special recipe that you know your father enjoyed. My father loved my Crescents Roll Fruit Tart. He always asked which bakery I purchased it from when I served him a slice.
Share Happy Memories
Spend some time talking about your dad with your children. My kids love when we share little stories about their "Opa."
They can even imitate his voice perfectly! My son, Michael, has my dad's crooked smile and dimple in his chin.
My father often reminisced about his childhood growing up on a farm in Germany during the war.
Dad would be so happy to know that I inherited my love for gardening from him! Every year I plant a flower bed filled with his favorite zinnia flowers. You can see a video of them here on my TikTok account.
Feel free to look through the many gardening posts I have here on the site for inspiration in starting your very own garden.
When Father's Day Brings Both Smiles and Tears
A core part of my father's identity was his deep love for the Lord. As a minister who pastored a large church in Queens, NY during my childhood, his faith was woven into every aspect of our lives.
2 Corinthians 6:18
“I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
Even when our earthly fathers are no longer by our side, God wants us to remember that we are never truly fatherless. Our Heavenly Father has always been and will always be a constant presence in our lives, offering unwavering love, guidance, and support throughout our earthly journey.
In times of sorrow, it's easy to feel lost and adrift. But God's promise to be our father offers a sense of stability and belonging.
He is a constant presence in our lives, ready to offer His unwavering support and guidance whenever we need it.
Cherished Memories: Me and My Dad
As we remember our fathers and the impact they had on our lives, let us hold onto the hope that we will one day be reunited with them in a place where there is no more pain or sorrow, only eternal joy and peace.
Here's a photo of my dad and I enjoying a day at Candlewood Lake, CT many years ago:
This photo of my dad and me on my wedding day always brings a smile to my face. It held a special place on his desk until the day he passed, and now it holds an even deeper meaning in my heart:
This post has been updated since it first appeared in 2016 with a few new photos and memories of my father. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Karin says
I was looking for a particular recipe and to find this post about dads was a double blessing. This year will be 3 years and I think about him several times a day. He was a great man.
Lois says
Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I'm glad you found the post to be a blessing.
Kathy says
Thank you for this precious parents st about your father. It really touched me... Thank you!
Kathy says
Sorry-- meant to type 'precious post'...
Lois says
Thank you for the lovely comment. I knew what you meant!
Renee Harris says
Thank you Lois, for the perfect scripture for today. My dad died in 2016. He was part of the greatest generation. I don’t think there was a thing he could not fix or repair. He worked hard all his life to loving care for Mom and four children. God bless your day.
Lois says
Thank you for stopping by and reading this post today Renee. Your father sounds like he was a wonderful dad and grandfather!
rich says
2 CORINTHIANS 6:18 who cares, does a little kid care about 2 CORINTHIANS 6:18 . not at all. I haven't had a father for 45 years I was 7 when he died. Part of that little boy died that day was well. the innocent of childhood was gone. Every Christmas, Every Birthday and yes Father's day God and Jesus and the Bible are not parents,. Tell that little boy or girl it will be ok, Well it wasn't . Life is harder on some of us. since than my brother committed suicide from the wrong prescribe medicine. I was set on fire at work spent 2 weeks in ICU I thought I'd get a settlement I had a lawyer the only thing I got was sorry for your life long pain only later to have a finger get ripped off last December at work. Ya GOD is great. GOD should of just killed me 45 years ago.
Lois says
I'm very sorry for all the loss and suffering you've been through. Hoping you can find peace to help you deal with everything. God is good and He is waiting to help you.
Esther says
I am sorry for your loss but you don't have to demean what brought her comfort to soothe your hurt. Blowing out her candle won't make yours any brighter. I pray the lord continue to reach you and minister to you and one day that you feel HIS goodnessamd HIS mercy. He did not cause all those bad things to happen, if you dig a little further into the bible you will see Ephesians 6:12, KJV: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places". You are blaming the wrong One for your troubles.
God is very real and is a good good father. I too have lost my father when I was 8 and it has been 27 years of learning to live without him it isn't easy at all but I don't blame God one bit. God is the one that turns the bad things into good for my favor.
Lois says
Thank you Esther. I did email Rich separately when I received his comment a few weeks ago. Hope you had an okay day yesterday thinking of your dad and celebrating his memory.