Fears and Tears

Our Father, the first words Jesus taught His Apostles, His Followers, when they asked how to pray. Jesus withdrew to pray to His Father in secret, but they had a longing in their hearts for the words.

The first two words are striking, Our Father – a Father to all, a Father that is always there, a Father that watches over and protects, a Father that loves.

I have been blessed with my “earthly” father who has been there for me all my life. A father that was there as I took my first breath, my first steps, and celebrated my first birthday. A father that took me to countless Disney movies, camping trips which usually included four-wheeling over some harrowing mountain passes and fishing in the clear blue lakes of Colorado.

A father that would work hard to support his family, most often working second shift and not taking much of a lunch hour. A father who always has a word of advice for us girls, a father that lived in a house full of hair products and make-up and overstuffed closets.

A father who learned to let go as we grew up and spent more time with friends, then boyfriends, and finally leaving home for our husbands to start our own families . A father that would delight in becoming a grandfather and who would watch from afar as his daughters would move out of state. Where visits or phone calls were treasured and brought joy as life continued forward.

A father of few words, a father that was there, a father that still is – across the miles, a father that loves. Our father, two words that turns my gaze upwards to my Heavenly Father, while revealing to me my earthly father. Two little words that carry so much meaning, that speak to my heart and show me what it is to love – Our Father.

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth and in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.