The Love of a Father

Introduction

My father is someone I look up to every day of my life. He was always there for me, even when I didn’t realize it. He touched my wounds and would give them a gentle kiss to take away the pain. He loved me more than my mind can ever imagine. My father would wrap his arms of love around me every time I was hurting or just needed the comfort of his love. My father guided me, directing me to live a life serving the risen Savior, and he always encouraged me to reach for the stars. He held my hand when I was weak, he lifted me up when I could not walk, and he shadowed me under the loving arms of his comfort and care. He touched my life in more ways than anyone could imagine. He always set the right example, even when I would not follow his leading. He would hold my picture up and show it to everyone and brag, saying, “This is my lovely daughter; I am so proud of her.” My father loved me when I didn’t even love myself. He knew my potential and knew God had a divine plan for my life. He taught me to always challenge myself and set goals so I had a direction in life. My father was a well-respected man, and many people knew him for the true person he was. My father taught me that the road is not always easy, but to trust that you will have the strength to follow through with your calling in life. He would tell me to listen to the still, quiet voice and follow God’s directions, and I would be blessed. I dearly love my father, and I will never forget all the kind and comforting words he said to me. He saw value in each of his children, and he always had the right words to say if I would only listen and obey. I had to learn a lot for myself—and learn the hard way—but he always gave me the space to grow and let me learn from my mistakes.

The love and direction of a father is very important for the well-being of a child. Many children never get the opportunity to experience this love and guidance. Fortunately, I had a father who loved me and supplied the proper guidance throughout my life. My father knew the importance of being a godly man and setting the right example. A father has the responsibility of leading by example and guiding his children. Many fathers fail to give the most important treasures and gifts to their children, making it difficult to understand how precious these same gifts are when given from the heavenly Father.

This book is a personal journey that began in late 2005. After the death of my father, I became lost in the wilderness. While in the wilderness, the heavenly Father sat at the potter’s wheel, reforming this broken vessel of clay. He had to take my heart and transform it to a heart desperately seeking after Him. He started transforming my mind to focus more on Him rather than on things of this world. He developed a thirst in me water would not satisfy. The more I tuned in to hearing the voice of God, the more He spoke to me. I had no idea what to expect next as God started to unfold right before my eyes His desires for my life. He was asking for sacrifices and change while at all times allowing me to make the choices. While building an intimate relationship with the heavenly Father, I realized I could simply repeat the first paragraph of this introduction, inserting the heavenly Father in place of my dad.

After spending time in the wilderness and being restored to an intimate relationship with God, I moved forward with new commitments and new challenges, not knowing where the journey would take me. In this book, you will have the opportunity to read personal and intimate encounters I experienced with the heavenly Father as He stood by my side, nurturing me, teaching me, guiding me every step of the way as He was developing a disciple for Him. The journey brought back many memories of the same dedication my father had as he taught me from birth, planting seeds to make me a woman after the heart of God. I was fortunate to have an earthly father who led by example, displaying the role model of the heavenly Father. As I walked day by day, seeking the face of God, I learned to value the treasures and gifts He offered me. I gained new insight and strength to walk by faith and share the gifts He gave me with others. I gained a deeper respect as the Father/daughter relationship blossomed.