April 15

Although my father and my mother have forsaken me, yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child]". Psalm 27:10 (AMPC)

Fathers and Mothers are meant to love us, to help mold and shape us, and to lead and gently guide us in the ways of life. Healthy Moms and Dads are able to bring forth the image of God in us, helping us to walk in, and embrace the gift of life, and discover the wonder of who we are meant to be. 

For you this may have been the place of your greatest joy, or conversely the place of your deepest pain, but here is a truth that will always sustain—you are deeply loved, with an abiding nurture and care, by the One Who is love. And His love is 100% directed towards, and focused on you. He is always at work in your life, lovingly leading and guiding you in the full image and likeness of His own dear Son Jesus, and into the perfection of who you were meant to be!

Grow strong, beauty, in the light of His love—it is forever shining upon your life, highlighting and bringing forth all that is precious and true, in beautiful, wonderfully made, you!

Prayer:

Dearest Father and Lord, I thank You for the good that was in the heart of my parents, even at times in the midst of their own brokenness and pain. 

You alone know Lord the celebration of heart and thought those memories bring. You alone know the brokenness and the pain.

Today Father, I look afresh to You—as Mother, as Father, as Redeemer, and Friend. For all that is lacking in my life, Lord, those sins of omission—all that my parents should have done but did not—I bring those empty places to You.

Fill in the empty places Lord, for all that was missing is not lost to You! You can impart it afresh and add even more besides. 

For all the sins of commission—the things that were done that should have never been done—every negative thought, word, or deed, I forgive them, Lord. I welcome You again, to heal, to restore, and to renew.

I receive today Your acceptance; Your guidance and protection; for I know You are attentive to all of my needs. I praise You Jesus, that it could be so!

You carry me in Your heart Lord, as all loving Fathers do. I look to You in all things, and I lean into You.

In Your Holy Name, I pray.