I saw this video recently and of course, if you know me at all you know I bawled my eyes out like a little baby. I watched it over and over, watched the dad bust through the crowd and the security guard, and then I watched him push others away to be there for his son. Drew came in while I was watching it and thought one of the kids died. I sobbed as I replayed the video for 42nd time.
I am so moved by a persistent, unadulterated, genuine father’s love. I supposed mostly because growing up I didn’t have it. My dad didn’t fight the crowd, or even drive his car across town to see me. He left me. Up until a few years ago a video like this would have angered me. I would wonder, why him (or her) and not me.
I remember hanging out in high school with a friend, her dad would practice softball pitches with us (despite the fact that I would NEVER be able to hit one) and take us out for ice cream. Sometimes at home ever as a teenager, my friend would crawl into her dad’s lap and he would hold her. I wanted to scream “Who will hold me? Who will love me?” I grew older and my friends would marry. Their dad’s would walk them down the isle and give them away, they would give their daughter’s a sappy speech with tears in their eyes and I would think, “Who will give me away? It’s too late I have already been given away.” About a year ago I watched a good friend of mine give a speech. I watched as her dad sat in the audience, he clung to every word she said. When she got done, I think her dad was ready to erupt, he was so proud of his daughter. While I was so happy for her, she had done such a good job; I was filled with such jealousy. “Is it wrong to want that?” I wondered. I had recently started public speaking and so badly I wanted someone to be in the audience and watch me, the way my friend’s dad watched her.
That night after people had left I sat in my chair. With my head slumped in my hands, I just cried “God I just want a father to love me like that.” I heard a gentle whisper, “you do, Lisa you do.” All at once it occurred to me, God was present where my earthly father was not. He was everything I needed and wanted. Even at 34 he would let me climb in his lap and weep like a baby. He would support and encourage me, even watch me with pride. He would prtect me and love me unconidtionally.
I tell you all this for 3 reasons…
1) If you have ever been abandoned, I want you to know there is One who will NEVER abandon you. Where your heart aches for a father’s (or anyone else) love He is there to fill it. You are His child and He loves you, wherever you are, whatever you have done, no matter what your circumstances are.
2) If you have a dad who loves you, call him. Thank him. Tell him what he means to you and thank God that He gave you this amazing man. Don’t wait.
3) If you are a dad and you are reading this. Grab your child (boy or girl) and go hug them. Love them; tell them you are proud of them. (It wouldn’t hurt to take one of their fatherless friends out for ice cream)
Today I can watch a video like this one and feel nothing but incredible joy. God has shown me how He has provided for me all along the way. He gave me real men who made the choice to love and care for me. Every other need they couldn’t meet, He met and then some. When I see this video I am reminded that I have a father just like this one. One who will fight the crowds for me, one who will carry my burdens and heartache, One who protects and One who will walk with me to the finish.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. Psalm 68:5
