“And I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
II Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)
Today, June 17th, is Father’s Day here in Guatemala… When I was 13 years old, I began praying for my future child(ren), believing that God had called for me to one day be a father. I had already been praying for 3 years, at that point, for my wife, because I had also already sensed that God was going to provide me with a helper and lifemate. The thing that really initiated my prayer for my children was my last placement in foster care. When I was 13 years old, I was moved into a godly family’s home, and was able to observe a home and family life that was based on God being the center, example, authority, and guide. It was truly in this home setting, where I then would live for six years, that I got to see the heart of the Father. Now, many years later, my desire to be a father is being fulfilled, as my amazing little boy, Jedidiah, will turn 1 year old in just a few days!
Both the foster mother and father, that I lived with, are devout followers and servants of God. Jesus Christ has transformed their lives, and enabled them to model for me the heart of the Father. Through their example, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, I learned the beauty of being self-controlled, patient, kind, loving, gentle, joyful, a person of peace, faithful, and letting God’s goodness shine through me. Not that I have perfectly obtained any of these yet, but I continue pressing on to be the best father I can be, looking to the Heavenly Father for strength and guidance to do so. I am striving to father like the Father.
God is also known as “the Father of the fatherless” (Psalms 68:5, NIV). Not only is my pursuit of God’s heart for my child(ren), but it is also to emulate God and His love for the fatherless. As Abogar works to help and bless children who have no father, no family, or are vulnerable to lose their family and/or home, it is important to be mindful today, Father’s Day in Guatemala, that many do not have someone to call ‘daddy’, ‘papa’, or ‘father’! My hope is that I get to model God’s heart, the heart of the Father, and also be a ‘father’ to many whom are fatherless. God has adopted us into His family and Kingdom (Ephesians 1:3-5, NIV). His inclusion of us is an example for us to live by. While the foster parents led me to know God and see His heart, my intimate love relationship with Him has led me to also want to live out His love and father as He fathers. This heart is also infused in Abogar, and we continue pursuing God’s heart and call for us to fight for lifelong families and lifelong homes, for the many whom are vulnerable and may otherwise never get such an opportunity!
As Father’s Day is here in Guatemala, and will be arriving on Sunday to the US, we, at Abogar International Ministries, want to say, “HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!” to every father and every man who carries the Father’s heart for precious children! We also want to thank each and every person who prays for and/or financially supports this ministry, enabling us to also pursue fathering children as the Father does. As we continue working to strengthen and preserve families, and help children to have lifelong family and lifelong home, we can only do so because of our supporters. Thank you! And Happy Father’s Day to each of you as well!
