Embracing God's Fatherly Love: Healing from Fatherlessness

Jul 6

A woman is pictured from behind sitting on the bench enjoying the scenery as the sun begins to set and the words of Romans 8:37 are included.

I have known many great fathers and have been blessed by some great men who stepped into my life when my earthly father was absent.

For a long time, I felt this big piece was missing in my life—which it was. But sometime around 15, I finally understood the Lord as my Father. Everything changed. Of course, I still longed for a dad, but it shifted into a story of redemption and glory. Beauty from ashes. Jesus is glorified in our brokenness. When we discover our true need for Him, all the hurt and emptiness are suddenly less sharp.

Little by little it becomes less of who you are as you become more of who He is. We aren’t identified by our failures, ugliness, or those parts of our lives that aren’t perfect. That wound that once defined who we are… fatherless, childless, divorced, cutter, suicidal, abused, failure…no longer has a place in our lives! That is not who we are. The enemy tries to keep those labels on us, he tries to convince us we are dirty, unlovable, unredeemable. He whispers in the darkness, in the lonely nights, and suggests God is absent, that He is too far.

But joy comes in the morning. Light breaks through darkness and Jesus’ presence is so much bigger and louder than the enemy could ever be.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” -Romans 8:37 (NIV)

He says:

You are my child.
You are worthy.
For you, I died.
For you, I came to earth.
I want you as my own.

He says it through His Word, His people, and even His creation. The beauty of a forest brings you face to face with a creative, living God. A God who fathers the broken, and brings to life the dying.

I believe healthy fathers are the backbone of a healthy family, but I also rejoice that our Heavenly Father is bigger. He fills in all the gaps where earthly fathers falter. It’s not hopeless. I know the Father’s heart breaks for the fatherless. He is a mighty force of love to those in need and those longing for a dad.

Jesus, thank You for Your grace that seeps into our brokenness and makes us whole. Thank You for saving me, for being my Father and Friend. You are all I need. Amen.

Meet the Author
Hannah Carpenter

Hannah is a follower of Jesus, a mom to five, and a wife of 20 years. As a creative, she is passionate about bringing writing, painting, and beauty to the Lord as a form of worship. A true Wisconsinite, Hannah’s favorite place to be is on the lake with a good book, some snacks, and her family.