The Love of a Father
"How great is the 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." 1 John 3:1

In 1962, Dick and Judy Hoyt gave birth to their son Rick. When Rick was born, the umbilical cord was caught around his neck, cutting off air supply to his brain. The Hoyts were told by the doctor that Rick would be in a vegetative state for the rest of his life and advised them not to bring up the baby. However, the Hoyts disagreed despite their newborn's disability.

Ten years down the road as Rick grew up, he was given a computer that would help him write out his thoughts. Three years later, he was admitted into a public school. As time passes, Rick told his dad one day that he wanted to participate in a 5k race for a local athlete who was paralyzed in an accident. His father agreed to take part in the race together with Rick, even though it requires him to push his son on a wheelchair during the race. Since then, Rick and Dick, who are known as "Team Hoyt" have competed in over 900 events, including 64 marathons and over 200 triathlons.

So why does this father run, swim and ride with his disabled son through all these events? Because the day they finished their first 5k, his son said through his computer...

"Dad, when we were running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore.''

Dick wasn't a runner, a swimmer nor a biker before those words were said. He was simply a father who loved his son unconditionally. He was a father who wanted his son to feel like he could fly. The love of this father is amazing!

We too have a Father who loves us unconditionally and calls us His children. All of us grow up with different situations with our earthly fathers. Some people have fathers who cares for them, while some may even have never met their fathers before. Some fathers are workaholics, while others are alcoholics. Some people view their fathers as heroes; others view their fathers as villains.

But above all of these, our Father in heaven is perfect. He loves us unconditionally, cares for us, knows what is best for us and gives without asking for anything in return. All He desires of us is to have an intimate relationship with Him and to draw close to Him. God walks alongside with us in every single step of our life's journey, joys and trials. He never leaves us alone nor forsake us. Your Father in heaven withholds no good thing from you. I pray that you will live a life fully surrendered to God, for He will lead and guide you good and bad times. Like Rick's dad, our Heavenly Father is always there to nudge us on and to carry us through the seasons of life.

God is ever faithful to each one of us. Let us make it our hearts' cry to be obedient and faithful to our Father who clothes us with His unceasing love that compels our hearts to love Him.