I would say that I had a pretty great life growing up. I was brought up in a Christian home with my mother as an incredible example of Christ’s light everyday. I attended a Christian grade school and grew up at church every Sunday. I honestly can’t recall one specific moment in my life where I remember accepting Jesus into my heart for the first time.

Although God has given me everything I have needed to continue growing in my relationship with Him, sometimes it has been a struggle. I lost my dad to an extremely rare cancer when I was 2 years old. At the time, I didn’t really understand what was happening. But as I have grown up, I tend to struggle and grieve more, as I am able to understand more of what it means to me and how it affects my life now.

Sometimes I wonder why God would take my father away from my family. I really may never know why. It has been so easy for me to be upset with God and question His plans. I just can’t seem to grasp any understanding of why God would do this. But the thing is, I don’t have to.

Even though I never really got to know my earthly father, I DO have the chance to get to know my Heavenly father. When I am feeling sad or depressed about the death of my father, I need to latch on stronger to my Heavenly Father. I have a Heavenly Father who loves me unconditionally, is all forgiving, and who blesses me so much. I am loved by the one who created the universe and the one who sent His own son to die for me. That is just so unbelievable to me.

Through the loss of my earthly father, I have found a new desire to draw closer to my Heavenly Father. I have the opportunity to grow closer to Him and trust Him in all circumstances. Of course, I miss my earthly father and would do anything to have him here on earth but it wasn’t in God’s plan.

Even though I know I can have this relationship with God, there are days where it is a struggle. Whenever I struggle, I try to remind myself of the truth. God does everything out of love for His children. I am God’s daughter and He wants to get to know me. He is an incredible God that will provide everything I need. I am granted eternal life because of God’s unfailing love. This means that I get to see my earthly father and Heavenly father in heaven one day! I am so blessed!

1 John 3:1 “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”