by Captain Kristina Sjögren
The word “father” can evoke a variety of emotions. Maybe you’re like me and you have a positive response because it brings up wonderful memories of a father who loved and cared for you.
The earliest memory I have of feeling loved by my dad was when I was a preschooler and my dad sat me in his lap to read one of my favorite books. I remember feeling safe in his arms as he read to me.
As I got older, my dad expressed love by doing some of our favorite things together like playing our horns, throwing a baseball, playing tennis, and sitting around the kitchen table with all of us for Friday game night.
My dad has exemplified Christ-like love by offering his time and talents to the worship community and beyond. Some of my favorite memories of this involve visiting shut-ins, bringing joy to their faces as we played familiar tunes on our horns and then having coffee/snacks together.
He has taught me how to live like Christ and continues to be a wonderful example. Together with my mom, he showed me how to nurture a personal relationship with Christ as I witnessed them spending time in scripture and prayer each day. My parents still pray over my family every day.
I realize as you reflect on “Everlasting Father,” your heart may feel torn because you miss your father, or you might even grieve the relationship with your father since it didn’t meet your expectations and what you longed for.
One of the greatest challenges understanding Everlasting Father is the idea of “father” we carry from our own experiences. But regardless of your view of an earthly father, I have good news for you.
In whatever way you remember the relationship you had/have with your earthly father, your Heavenly Father cares deeply for you and is always near to you, and nothing can separate you from His love! He is engaged, caring, dependable, loving, and perfect. We can trust Him to be fully present in everything we do and experience.
This Christmas, as you reflect on our Savior Jesus Christ, I hope you find peace in your heart knowing He, the Everlasting Father, is there for you. Jesus came to this earth to heal our brokenness and replace it with hope. Trust in Him and know He is faithful and present when you need Him most.
