For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.
Psalm 27:10

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I grew up in a single-parent home with my nine siblings, and I thought wishing my mother a “Happy Father’s Day” and skipping daddy-daughter dances was normal. It wasn’t until my early teenage years that I started to realize this was not how many kids my age were living. With this realization came questions. I started wondering who was going to teach me how to drive or how to change a tire. I remember in middle school, sitting with my friends, listening to their stories about how annoying their parents (plural) were. How their dad was so embarrassing, and I remember thinking, “I wonder what that’s like”. 

I remember being mad at God and telling Him that some kids might not want their dads, but I definitely needed mine. By the time I was in high school, I was not only frustrated and angry, but also struggling with depression. That’s exactly where God met me—17-years-old, frustrated, angry, and depressed in my room reading His word. I sensed Him saying, “You may not have an earthly father, but I AM your Heavenly Father.” I was rocked to the core. I didn’t fully understand, but it changed my whole perspective. God so kindly gave me a spiritual perspective of my earthly reality. 

Even though my situation didn’t change, my attitude did. I dug into Scripture and learned who God was. God is my provider (Genesis 22:14) and my help (Psalm 54:4). He is near (Jeremiah 23:23) and He is my strength (Psalm 28:7). This is who I had access to the moment I declared Jesus Christ as my Savior. As I got older and started to experience God for myself, He has given me the safety that comes from having a Heavenly Father.

I may have never sat on the sofa and chatted with my dad, but countless times my Heavenly Father has put his arm around me.  Every time I go to Him with my questions and concerns and ask Him to show me what to do, He responds. Maybe you have had a similar experience and phrases like “God the Father” or “Heavenly Father” mean nothing to you. I get it. But don’t let that stop you from pursuing Him. Now I understand that I am a daughter of the Most High God. That is who I am, that is who I belong to, and I am thankful to have a good, good Father. You have a good, good Father too!

Next Steps

When you hear God called Everlasting Father, what comes to mind? Take your thoughts and feeling to Him—whether they feel pleasant or not—and ask Him to lead you to His truth about His role in your life.