Yes, you read that right, this Father’s Day I choose to celebrate my mom. See, usually this holiday would feel a little awkward for me. While all of my friends are barbecuing with their dads and reminiscing about all the good times they’ve had, I would treat this Sunday like any other normal day, except somewhere in my heart I would still feel the hurt of growing up without a father.
My dad left when I was young, and if I’m being honest I don’t remember how it happened. I just know that it did, and somewhere along the way my mom picked up the role of “father” as well.
Although, then I didn’t recognize or appreciate all of her hard work, today I will.
Mom,
Thank you for raising me to be strong and independent.
Thank you for making me feel loved and cherished in a world that’s full of crazy.
Thank you for helping me through every hard situation, and for showing me grace even when I know I didn’t deserve it.
Thank you for encouraging and supporting all of my hopes and dreams, even when I know it was hard for you.
Thank you for guiding my faith and giving me an example to follow.
Thank you for working so hard and providing more than I ever needed.
Thank you for showing me what it means to be vulnerable and allowing me to have all the feelings.
Thank you for loving me enough for both parents, so that I never even noticed a missing one.
Although, I didn’t grow up with an earthly father, my mom raised me with my Heavenly Father. I never noticed an absence, because there never really was one. She taught me to seek Him in every circumstance and to build a relationship with Him so that my heart can overflow with love and joy for the world around me.
This isn’t a dig at anyone, not my absent father or yours.
This is to say that I have healed and so can you. When you recognize that nothing in this world can replace the love your Heavenly Father has for you and when you celebrate that and believe it to be true, you won’t feel like your missing anything.
So, thank you mom, for taking on both roles.
But also, for teaching me that you didn’t do it alone, and I don’t have to either.