Many people awoke this morning with the bubbling excitement that today would be spent in the sharing of special sentiment with those who raised them, or the celebration or the showing of appreciation for the father of their children.  It is Father’s Day.  Every store, gift shop, and restaurant are hoping to cash in on selling more of their products or services they offer.  Countless greeting cards were purchased this week.  Donuts, pies, and neckties were sold by the thousands.  There is a buzz to the air, a special sunbeam to the day for all those around.

            Today’s post is not written for those of you who are eager to celebrate.

            For some, although a smaller percentage of us, the day does not bring excitement.  For some of you who read this blog, the day brings pain.  I know some people that have lost loved ones this past year. Father’s Day may not be filled with joy and happiness for you.  In fact, it may be the exact opposite.  Some of you have not lost a dad recently, but the title of the holiday brings memories of pain from the year that you did lose a dad.  Some, who desperately desire to have children cannot.  The day is an ugly reminder of the one thing you might not be able to share with your spouse, and that is extremely hard.  Others have lost a child.  You might be in the situation of recently facing a miscarriage in your relationship or have had to bury a child who passed away too early. No parent wants to see the death of a child; no parent wants to outlive one that they have raised or bore as their own.

            I know for me personally, the day is one of mixed feelings.  I have had enough pain in my past that in many years I have often said that Father’s Day is the most painful day of the year.  It is a tough day.  A day of wishes that things were better with your children in some ways, a day of guilt that you aren’t meeting expectations in others.  Each year I must face feelings I don’t wish to see.  Loss, grief, confusing thoughts of question, the negative emotions and feelings meet the eager smiles of other areas.  It is a hard mix to process.  

            Here at Life Compass Ministries, I want to reach out to all you who face similar challenges today.  I get it.  Life is hard. And so, I wish to leave you with one verse of comfort.  If you can get this one, it might make things easier.

Revelation 7:17

For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,

and he will guide them to springs of living water,

and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

            If you are struggling with pain today, take heart. The Good Shepherd is standing with you, He loves you, and one day He will wipe our tears.

By Chuck Carr