A Father's Love

Nothing better than a father's love

Sept 7

As I was waking up this morning God started to put some things together for me. I wanted to get up and write it down right away. I didn’t want to forget any of it. I went out into the living room and grabbed my computer to start to write. Unfortunately, there were a lot of interruptions this morning and before I knew it I had to leave for several appointments. I never got a chance to write it all down. This has happened before, So I just put a notebook and pen on my nightstand. Next time God speaks to me I am writing it down before I get out of bed. It’s late now, but I am going to try to remember all He showed me, and write it down before I go to bed.

My youngest daughter Sarah can suffer from anxiety. I know that God wants to heal her, I just don’t know how to help her. I have been trusting God with her journey and His timing. But, it can be hard to watch her struggle. As her mom, I just want to help her make it all better. Part of Sarah’s issue comes from the trauma she experienced when we moved. Moving can be stressful at the best of times, but we had a few added issues.

My husband grew up with an alcoholic father and mother and moved more times than I can count. Sometimes he would come home from school to find the pickup truck loaded with all their belongings and they drove off looking for a new place to live. With that in mind a major move out of state, the first move we have made in 17 years, was going to be a little stressful for him. Add to that a man, who was supposed to be his friend, came to help with all the renovations we were doing. Instead of being supportive, this man fed all his fears and concerns, and didn’t help the way he promised. We had a storm in the making.

My husband was truly not himself for quite some time after we moved. Before we moved, Sarah had a sweet relationship with her dad. But, it has not recovered since the move. This morning as I was waking up, God showed me that my husband deals with relational difficulties by withdrawing. He can’t say or do the wrong thing if he steps away. Sarah can do the same thing, and so her trust in her father as not been rebuilt. Sarah is not feeling secure in her father’s love. She doesn’t know if he even sees her and all she is doing. He is not affirming who she is and all her accomplishments. In his defense, when he does reach out to her, quite often her response is uncomfortable and reserved, He doesn’t know what to do with that, so he withdraws. She feels rejected and the circle continues. I know if I explain this to Sarah, she will just feel blamed and judged and that is not what I want to do. This is not her fault. I talked to my husband about it this morning. I simply told him what she needed. No blame, no judgment, just what she needs from him. Every day, tell her he loves her, how proud he is of her, and give her hugs. It’s that simple. She won’t respond at first, but soon her heart will start to heal. If he pushes through and is consistent, their relationship will be restored. God has restored so much in my life, I have no doubt, this will be restored as well. I am so grateful Father, that you would trust me with the understanding of all this.