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With Father’s Day in the rearview mirror, I remember the first one without my husband back in 2016. It was early in the morning and I was reflecting on the day ahead of me. It dawned on me that I didn’t have a reason to celebrate Father’s Day.

The man who raised me, my grandfather, had long been gone. Thirty years to be exact. My stepfather, who l had a great deal of respect and love for, had made my mom a widow three years earlier. My husband, who helped me raise my girls and loved them as his own and was also a wonderful father to his own three children, was now gone as well.

It was our first Father’s Day without him.

That was reason enough not to celebrate. And yet the family was still getting together for a picnic. My mind wandered into thoughts of how my girls and the grandkids would feel today. Would it be hard for them emotionally? Would they talk about him or stay silent because it’s too hard to acknowledge his absence? Would I be able to hold it together? Do I pretend I’m ok?

As I pondered all these thoughts, a still, small voice reminded me that even though all these men who had held a fatherly figure in my life and had given me a reason to celebrate were gone, the greatest father to me remained…God!

I spent the next few minutes journaling all the ways God had been a good, good father to me.

He has loved me before He knit me in my mother’s womb. He has loved me unconditionally.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. your eyes saw my unformed body.
Psalm 139:13 (NIV)

He has waited patiently for me to return home when I was out doing my own thing. At times he has been tough on me, disciplining me for my good. Pointing out my shortcomings so that I could learn to be more like Christ.

They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.
Hebrews 12:10 (NIV)

He has been my protector, my rock, and my shield in times of despair, sorrow, and pain.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.
Psalms 18:2 (NLT)

He has shown me tenderness when my heart ached more than I thought it could.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

He has dried my tears and heard my cries for help.

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
Psalm 116:1 (NIV)

He has been faithful even though I have let him down countless times.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22 (NIV)

He has been my biggest fan and cheerleader rooting me on with each new endeavor and guiding me down each new path of life.

The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
Isaiah 58:11 (NLT)

He has been my provider; meeting all my needs…sometimes long before I knew the need.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:19 (NIV)

These thoughts brought a renewed outlook on the day and gave me the courage to celebrate not only the greatest earthly fathers in my life…all gone way too soon…but also my heavenly Father, the Father to the fatherless and defender of widows (Psalm 68:5), who will never leave me!

Lord, in our times of sorrow and heavy grief, strengthen us by your Spirit and your Word that we may glorify you. Bring to mind all the ways you have been a good, good Father.