I trusted my Dad. He created a very safe space for me to share with him my life and my struggles. He listened well and encouraged me without judgment or shame. I called him often for advice or help. This summer, we had a director get extremely ill at the last minute. I called Dad and asked what he would do. He told me, “Jennifer, don’t cancel, trust God, you pray while I make some phone calls; give me two hours.” He called back and told me one of the best directors, Rhett Soliday, was on a flight and would run the camp. 

I miss being able to call my Dad. I think that is why they call death a lost connection. I lost my Dad this year. It is a loss because I go to pick up the phone to tell him something he would love to hear, and I can’t reach his physical voice. There is always that initial reminder of loss. 

But then I have a choice to make. I can feel depressed, or I can say, Dad is alive, and he is with God. Just like I could call my Dad and have a meaningful conversation or get his advice, I have a loving heavenly Father that is waiting for me right now. What I loved most about Dad was God in Dad— I loved the Heavenly Father living through and speaking through my earthly Father. 

Just as I could trust Dad to listen to do his very best to help me, God, my Heavenly Father, is infinitely worthy of my trust. When I go to call Dad, I stop and remember this is the impulse to meet and trust my Heavenly Father now, who loves me more than my Dad could.

Some of you know what it is like to get a phone call from my Dad or a text message; when you miss that message, turn to God — He has a message for you.

“You parents — if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” Matthew 7: 9-11

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