A Father's Love

He was the first man I ever saw, the first man I ever knew.  I was four year old, and that was my very first memory of my father.  He was always laughing, always smiling, always around when I wanted to play.  I remember playing horsey after school with him.  He was around when I needed to wash my hair and he used to give me those big plaits in my hair.  

I spent most of my time with him because my mom had to work, and when I needed that manly figure the most, guess who was always there? My father was!  I remember the first time someone broke my heart.  The pain was overwhelming and I did not want to talk to anyone else.  I found myself, for the first time in about seventeen years, confiding in my father about relationships and a broken heart.  Talk about relief and instant soothing.

He was perfect in my eyes.  Wherever he went, you could bet that I was there trailing right beside him.  If it involved picking nutmegs by the river, I was there with him.  If it involved trips to the mountain to visit my grandfather Ita, I was there with him.  If it involved someone to pull the green-bus door on taxi trips, you bet - I was there.   

He was provider: long hours shelling nutmegs - separating the mace from the nutmeg in the veranda with my brother, my sister and my mother; preparing moringa for sale and distribution, baking chicken ham, cheese straw, currant rolls - he did it with no complaints.  I even heard stories of him and my mother making seamoss and fruit juices to sell just to make ends meet to provide for the family.  My mother frequently talks about the pepper sauce incident: when their lack of understanding for the production process led to them not being able to touch each other for weeks!

When I think about him, I think about a man with a world of potential, someone who had his educational opportunities stripped away from him but chose to rise above all those circumstances and be the man he is today.  Oh no!  He's definitely not perfect.  At seventy two

(looking like twenty seven plus thirty), he is still a work in progress; but he is a willing one - a progression bound for success and not for failure.

My earthly father walks in the image of my Heavenly Father.  His warmth and his dedication to whatever cause touches his heart reminds me of God's warmth and dedication to me.  I have failed Him so many times but He is still there - right there with me every step of the way.  He continues to love me even when I don't deserve it.  When I hurt Him with my words and disappoint Him with my actions, His love continues to overshadow me - propelling me to do better and write a better story on the pages of my life in the tomorrow ahead.

Whenever my earthly father is at home, I know I am safe and sound.  Likewise, this is how it is with my Heavenly Father.  His protection and peace is one which continues to be present from day to day.  Knowing that His Spirit is within me and walks with me gives me a peace that goes past my human understanding.  I am able to walk in victory and courage understanding that although my human eyes cannot see Him, my spiritual man acknowledges that His presence is ever present and will not leave.  That's the beauty in knowing that our Father loves us more than we ever know and seeks our best interest from day to day!  

Many of you who may be reading this may not be able to relate to a physical father's love.  Maybe he was never around, maybe the relationship you should have had with him is destroyed, non-existent, broken.  Maybe when you needed him the most he was never there.  But know that in the absence of  his presence, your Heavenly Father has the ability to fill the void within you.  Psalm 68:5 describes God as a "Father to the fatherless..."
 He is waiting with arms open wide for you to say, "Father, I need you in my life; come in and fill this emptiness I feel."  He is a gentleman, and He will wait on you to let Him come in.

At times, my dad and I fall out and I feel sad.  Human emotions take over, added with the schemes of the enemy, and I believe that our relationship will never be the same.  But eventually, with time, my dad and I are laughing and talking again.  The thing about this human relationship when compared to the spiritual relationship I have with my Heavenly Father is that there are no breaks and questions with Him.  No matter how much the enemy wants me to believe that He doesn't love me anymore or that He is so angry with me for my behaviour that He will never speak to me again, I will never hear His voice anymore or that He somehow needs space from me, He is right there and He's not going anywhere! Bet your bottom dollar on it!

Today, your Heavenly Daddy is waiting for you with arms open wide to receive you once again.  He is douched in everlasting love that is unconditional and will never come to an end.  As you go through this day today, remember that He loves you, and if you have not yet formed a relationship with Him,  He desires that so much more than you would ever know.  Seek Him and let Him in; you will be surprises to the many things He has in store for you - take that leap and see!

Today's motivation was inspired by my father, Wilfred "Padmore" Jones.  As you celebrate your 72nd Birthday tomorrow daddy, know that I love and appreciate all that you have done for me and the contribution you have made in my life.  Life has been fun with you always.  I miss you and I love you.
Let the fun begin and have a fantabulous day when it arrives!👊😘😘😘