“I will not leave you as orphans.” (John 14:18 NIV)
My dad was actively dying three years ago today.
The first few years after his death were a hurry, a blur of responsibility and change. Oddly, this year, the world has gone nearly still and I finally have space to comprehend what I’ve lost and what I’ve gained.
God is so good, my friends. Last week, my district superintendent called and asked me to help host an online conference with Scott Wilson. I had no idea as to the discussion topic, but I was thrilled at the opportunity to serve. I’ve heard Scott Wilson speak several times before, most recently at a pastor’s conference in Iowa and knew his material to be anointed. On Monday we met with a few other contributors on a Zoom call where he shared his heart the session I’d host. Scott lost his dad to Alzheimer’s last August, and he’s written a book about spiritual identity and inheritance. He talked about how the loss of his earthly father has reframed his understanding for the love of our heavenly Father.
There are no coincidences in the Kingdom. Listening to Scott talk, it as as if he’d pulled pages from my personal journal these past few years. I pinched myself at the privilege of being asked to participate in this conversation.
Fast forward to today. Technical issues abounded. Our district superintendent, the other host and I could barely pass the digital ball back and forth. Thankfully, the message Scott had on healing from father wounds and receiving God’s love still managed to take center stage and even though I was disappointed about the distractions and disruptions, I’m so glad I got asked to participate in the process. In preparation for our discussion, I had downloaded Scott’s book earlier this week and been devouring it. He also offers a Master Class on unpacking our parent issues and leaving our kids a godly inheritance. Though today’s session did not go as expected, I received far more than I put forth and I’m grateful for the opportunity.
Reading Scott’s book and reflecting on my own father story has reminded me all over again how faithful our God is. Two weeks before my dad’s car accident that ultimately took his life, my heavenly Father reminded me that He was good and He could be trusted. In that service, three years ago, we shared an exchange of gratuitous admiration that will stay with me the rest of my life. He truly is my Father.
Scott pointed it out to me on our pre-conference call, how the difference between a bad father and good father is not much at all when compared to a Perfect Father. I’ve chewed on that thought for three days now, realizing that the difference between a bad father and a good father might not be much, but it feels like a Grand Canyon to cross for those who had a bad father. The truth is, though, we all have daddy issues and they all affect the way we perceive our heavenly Father. I hope you’ll take some time to check out Scott’s book and identify your own hinderances to intimacy with our Father.
Watch today’s conference here.
Check out Scott Wilson’s book here.