Ten years ago, on July 20, 2008, my dad died from cancer. It is hard to believe he has been gone that long. He was not just my dad. He was my hero and friend. The longer I go without my dad, the more I realize how blessed I was. My father was a man who truly loved God and his family. He never harmed me in any way, other than the spankings I deserved. I remember one time I had a spanking coming, and I put encyclopedias in my shorts to cushion the pain!

Some of you were blessed to have a father like mine. If so, make sure you thank God for it. It is rare to have a good and godly dad. Many of you weren’t blessed with a “good” dad. Maybe your father abandoned your mom. Maybe he abandoned you or even harmed you. Maybe he never left but was anything but a loving example. Some of you might not even know who your father is and/or have never met him.

When you became a Christian, you were adopted into the family of God. Now you have a Heavenly Father. Regardless of who your earthly father is, you have an awesome Dad. As Psalm 68:5 reminds us, God “is a father to the fatherless.” God cares for you. God loves you. God never does harm to you. God never leaves or forsakes you. Turn to your Heavenly Father now and embrace His love. Even though my dad was spectacular, he cannot compare to the great love and care of my Father in Heaven.