by Patricia Dotten

For the eyes of the LORD roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose hearts are completely His (2 Chronicles 16:9 NASB).

“Dad,” I said, “I feel so ugly.” I was a middle schooler with telltale acne, scrawny legs, and frizzy hair! Dad put his hand tenderly on my shoulder and simply said, “I think you are beautiful.” My pimples did not go away, but I immediately felt like everything was going to be okay.

As a young child, I watched Dad interceding in the prayer chapel at our church, hands raised, tears running from his eyes, pouring his heart out to his heavenly Father. “God must be a good, good Father if my dad loves Him this much,” I remember thinking.

In high school, I will never forget having severe stomach cramps and how Dad walked with me, praying out loud, for three hours in the middle of the night until my cramps went away. I am sure he had to go to work the next day, but being tired did not matter half as much to him as his relationship with his daughter. It was another tangible picture of my sacrificial heavenly Father!

I knew I was loved; I knew I belonged, and I knew I was valuable because my dad said so.

What a treasure chest of gifts my dad gave me throughout my growing-up years. They were pictures to me of a reality that is so much bigger than any earthly relationship: my Heavenly Father’s love for me and for His Church. 

Read More