The Father to the Fatherless
"A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land."
— Psalms 68:5-6 (KJV)
This morning began with tears, a reminder that mourning the loss of my Dad is an enduring circle of grief that may never fully end in this life. Though it has been 20 years since his passing, bad days like today are not uncommon. Occasional triggers send me spiralling down memory lane, reminding me of the adage—you never forget your loved ones; you only learn to live without them.
Today's mourning felt heavier as it was just two weeks before my wedding. The thought of what his presence would have added to such a special occasion made my heart ache profoundly. I imagined him walking me down the aisle, handing me over to my sweetheart, and recalling his many promises, like buying my first car. The pain of his absence became almost unbearable, making me question how different life might have been if he were still here. The tears became unstoppable.
After crawling out of bed and trying to wipe away the tears, I picked up my Bible along with my daily devotional. To my surprise, the devotional title read: "The Father's Love." The passage was Psalms 68:5-6—God is a father to the fatherless and a defender. Reading these words felt as though God was speaking directly to me. I have known the Father's love through a personal walk with God for many years, and the Lord has sustained my family and me through the years without Dad. Yet, I had momentarily forgotten this love and support.
As I meditated on the scripture, the pain began to lift. I reflected on numerous occasions when father figures like uncles and brothers stepped in to do what Dad could have done. I am incredibly grateful for the support received from others, even if it wasn't from my dad. God's word has immense power to change our countenance; mourning all day would only deplete productive time.
With a renewed sense of gratitude, I finished my prayers, dressed up, and began my daily routine, focusing on appreciation rather than mourning.