Happy Fathers Day, Dad... I LOVE YOU.

By Laura Toganivalu, Pastor Brian's daughter

My Dad - having already had two boys, tells of how he was filled with so much joy the moment he knew his 3rd child was a girl. To be honest, I find so much value knowing that my debut into this world was celebrated so affectionately by him.

From as early as I can remember, I have adored my Dad and there are countless moments that I will never forget...

Like when he came home from work one day, we got back into the car and drove around for hours looking at Christmas lights. And all the times he would return from overseas trips, I would follow him around like a little puppy until it drove him crazy - simply cause I missed him while he was away and wanted to be around him. More recently, I remember the moment when we stood outside the chapel on my wedding day and were not able to look at each other for sake of 'keeping it together' as we walked down the aisle. And when my brother who conducted my wedding asked "who gives this woman away?" Dad responded with, "I do (pause) but I want her back!". Haha.

My Dad PROVIDED me with every reason to succeed in life and has given me no reason to fail.

When I came across problems and hard choices... even though Dad could have FIXED them in a second, and did on occasion, he also knew when to step back, and allow me to rise up and find solutions for myself. I guess he recognised that it would cause me to grow in character, maturity and wisdom.

When I got myself into compromising situations - my dad stepped in, intervened and PROTECTED me from making potentially poor choices.

I know without a shadow of doubt that my Dad LOVES me no matter what. I know that although I could disappoint him, nothing I could do would make him stop loving me!

I guess that's why it doesn't surprise me that our God would choose to call himself FATHER. In our humanity, we need that someone who we know will PROVIDE... That someone who we know will PROTECT... That someone who we know can FIX... And that someone who we know will LOVE in the most unconditional and extravagant way that every child needs.

And isn't that what God our Father does for everyONE of us? He provides for us, protects us, fixes us and LOVES us... AND allows us to have relationship with him as His sons & daughters.

I feel so blessed to have such an amazing father... However, I'm not naïve to the fact that this isn't the case for many. If Fathers Day is tinged with sadness for you, I pray that you would find rest in God - your HEAVENLY Father - and that you would position yourself in your church where you can find both friendship and family.

In Psalm 68:5 it says that He is a "Father to the fatherless..." In Psalm 27:10 it says that "...though my Mother and Father forsake me, the Lord receives me".

He is our ultimate Father who NEVER fails!!

Have the best Fathers Day!

LAURA, used to be HOUSTON, but now TOGANIVALU. :-)