It’s been 30 years and counting, since I last saw his face.
No one else has come along that could ever take his place.
The man that I called Daddy, who loved me as a child,
Has found a home in heaven, where every day he smiles.

It’s been eight long months and counting, since I last saw his face.
No one else will come along that could ever take his place.
The father of my children, the true love of my life,
Has found a place of peace and rest, far from all the strife.

Life here is uncertain, filled with constant ups and downs.
Then suddenly, it’s all over, leaving emptiness and frowns.
But there’s a better day that’s waiting, when we will all be new
When we again will be together, and acquaintances renew.

It’s been eternity and counting, And I have yet to see His Face
But no other power, in heaven or earth, could ever take His place.
My Heavenly Father is always near, no matter what o’er take me
He forever more will be my guide and never will forsake me.

Prayer

I thank you, Father, for still reminding me every day
That you have always known and loved me.
I thank you for the promise, too, that you will always be
All I ever want, all I ever need, never changing, always the same.
When the storms of life come, rocking my boat and sinking my dreams,
Your hand is always reaching, bridging the gap, holding fast the anchor.
Thank you for being my Everlasting Father, every day of my life.

© 2000 Linda Miller All Rights Reserved

Linda's notes: When I was growing up, my Dad was larger than life and very special. He lost his own father when he was only 3 years old, and he got married at 29. He tried very hard to make up for the fathering he missed. He didn’t always know how, but he did it pretty well. Of course, none of us are born knowing how to be parents and kids come with no instructions…as you well know! Unfortunately, we had too little time together. Dad died when he was 59, and I was 27. I wish he had known all my children, and they had known him.  

My husband died at 60, so he only enjoyed half his grandchildren. My oldest son died at 40, leaving a teenage son. So little time for sharing the Dad’s in our lives with those we love, and yet they have left their mark on us all.

You can see that it has been over 10 years since I wrote “Father’s Day.” But the feelings are just as sharp as they were then. We never get over the need for a hug from Daddy, a chance to tell him our troubles, and the knowledge that he loves us, no matter what.

Thanks to Jesus, we will have ample opportunity to get those hugs in heaven that we so miss here.

Blessings again on This Father’s Day  to all those important men in our lives. (Linda Miller, 6-16-2011)

Linda Miller lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she works for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Linda is a widow, a mother of four children, and she has eight grandchildren. Besides family, she loves God, music, and words. Her purpose for being is to share glimpses of glory, to brighten the lives of those around her, and to affirm that God knows best even when we don’t understand.

Photos/LindaMiller

How do you plan to celebrate Father's Day this year?