Ok, so sadly this is so very late in being posted. Yet, in Africa it’s not so big of a surprise due to lack of internet and being sick every other week or so. So finally here it is. My Father’s Day blog.
So again I apologize Dad that this is so late but it’s all for you! Happy Belated Father’s Day!!!!
When I was a little girl before I would leave for sleepover at a friends house my Dad would always tell me that I could call him no matter what time it was if I needed him and he would be there.
And there were several occasions growing up that I would get frightened or sick and no matter what time of night my Dad would come and get me. It was just natural I heard it so often that I always knew that he would come.
As I got older I didn’t really have a reason to call anymore. I didn’t get frightened, and also I eventually had my own car so then I could just drive myself home and didn’t really have a need to call my Dad anymore to come get me.
So I began to forget that I could always call him. However, just a few short weeks after leaving home for the race I came to understand that my Dad really meant that he would come no matter where I was.
I had only been gone for two weeks when I had to have emergency surgery in Guatemala. And from my end when I called my Dad there was no question in his mind of how far he would have to travel, the time off he would have to take from work, or the money he would have to spend on the plane ticket. I needed him and he was going to come. That time was one of the most difficult things that I have gone through but that hug from my Dad when he got there was the best medicine that anyone could possibly give me.
And again in Nairobi for my Birthday the thing that made it the best was getting to have our annual breakfast with you on skype. You were willing to stay up late and eat breakfast food at midnight so that we could spend our time together. There aren’t a lot of people who can say they got to do something as special as that.
This year has made it so apparent to me how blessed I have been being raised by my Dad. To be raised by man of God. My life could have turned out so different if I had been raised any other way. I have seen so many different family circumstances in each country that I have been to. And have heard stories from my squadmates that differ greatly from my own family. There are so many wounded hearts due to situations with families and Fathers inparticular that have contributed to the pattern of life that people choose.
But I have been blessed because I know that no matter how much I screw up, though he may be disappointed in me, my Dad will still show me grace and will always love me. That there is nothing I can do that would cause him to turn his back on me. This has been apparent in many circumstances in my life.
I got to experience a glimpse of the love our Heavenly Father has for us long before I understood it clearly just through the relationship I have with my Dad.
So thank you Dad. Thank you for raising me to become the woman that I am. Thanking you for praying with us every night. And thank you for loving me unconditionally no matter what the circumstance may be.
You have been such a blessing to me and I am anxiously awaiting getting to come home and see you! And I look forward to the conversations that will take place and the ways that you will continue to help me grow.
I love you and I miss you so very much!
