Happy Father's Day!

         Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful dads who have showed us love and kindness throughout the years. When I was thinking about this upcoming Father's Day I couldn't help but think of all the ways my father had an impact on who I am today. Growing up, I always looked up to my dad because he was strong and he always knew how to make me laugh. As I have grown up he has always been with me every step of the way, he went to every one of my games and school plays, he taught me how to bake and cook which was always an adventure with him, but most importantly he taught me how to walk with God. I am very blessed to have an amazing Dad who taught me to obey God's Word and to walk in His Commandments at a very early age, I learned the nature of God by watching my Dad in his relationship with God. I knew my dad was loving so God must be loving, I knew my dad was kind so God had to be kind, I knew my dad loved to see my succeed so God must love to see me succeed but one thing my dad loved more than anything is to watch me follow in his footsteps. This goes for our heavenly father as well, He loves watching us discover our anointing and calling in life. One verse I can always relate back to my dad is Psalm 68:5 "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His Holy habitation." NKJV When we were blessed enough to be able to take in kids that were in need, I was able to see first hand my dad become a father to the fatherless. Children that are placed in the foster care system come from broken and hurting homes, many kids have never even known what it is like to feel loved. I can without a doubt say that I have always known a father's love, but as I am getting older I realize what a special and rare thing that is to say. We were blessed to have thirteen wonderful kids come into our home and without a doubt in my mind the most powerful thing we could have given to them was love, and the example of how to love others like their heavenly Father loves them.  When children grow up without a father to look up to it can leave a big space in their heart that they will start to search and seek something else to fill that void, when it can only be filled by a father. This doesn't mean that children need an earthly father to grow up to be thriving and healthy adults but it means that we all have a spot for a father in our hearts but that spot can't be taken up by a mere man. I am very blessed to have an amazing earthly father but I also had that spot that wasn't quite taken up because I needed my heavenly Father to step in and take his place. Whatever your situation is this Father' Day, we all have a heavenly Father that literally changed the course of history for us in order to have a relationship with Him. So thank you to all the fathers that were willing to step up to be an example to their children and to all the fathers that have opened up room in their hearts to be a father to the fatherless, but most importantly thank you to our heavenly Father for being willing to be the perfect example of love, thank you for making a way, and thank you for giving us all the ability to become your children. It is a Happy Father' Day indeed!
Stay tuned in the next few weeks for more stories of hope and inspiration brought to you by The Precious Gift 13 team! - Kimberly