Without going into much detail in order to protect those involved, I will only say that dad's seem to have a very important role in our lives whether we were adopted, taken care of my a grandparent, have two dads, none, or had someone step up to the role when no one else would.
I've often said in this blog - "God will put in your life the things you need at the exact right time." I absolutely without a doubt believe that includes people.
More often than not, I can look back on my own life and see where God planted people in my life to give me what I was not getting from those who were directly responsible.
I think this is a fascinating thought.
God will give us what we need, when we need, and who we need.
Now, I know there are people out who would beg to differ or debate with me and that's ok, too.
Always drawing from my own experience, I have seen this thought in action.
Being adopted, God immediately stepped in and gave me what I needed - who I needed.
And then there was a time in my life as I grew older that I would need someone to mentor me, someone to teach me normal behaviors, real unconditional, non-judgemental love.
Here are some more examples of ways that God worked in the lives of some of my close friends:
"From the time i was born until i was 17 my grandpa was my dad. I have never known what it's like to have an actual dad so i've never been sad or mad about it, it's just the way my life has always been. But my Grandpa was the most incredible man I have ever known. It didn't matter how bad I screwed up he was always on my side. I could talk to him about anything and he would give the best advice he could. He taught me about sports, made sure I had a basketball, football, soccer ball, etc." ~Tami
"My step-dad is the best man in the world. I never refer to him as that (step-dad), but I don't call him dad in conversation, either. I call him by his name, David. I have a wonderful father that I call "dad," but that doesn't mean that I don't absolutely adore David. He has loved and supported me over 20 years and I'm by far the luckiest girl in the world to have him in my life." ~Melissa
"My dad showed me that a true father always puts his child first no matter how old they get. He showed me that there is no other love like the love of a father. The bond between a daddy and his little girl is the strongest bond ever! A bond that no one or nothing can break or come between. He was and always will be my hero!" ~Stormy
"I had a step dad who I loved dearly and thought of him as my dad. But he and my mom were only married a month to the day when he died in a car accident. It has forever affected me, in the short time I knew him, he just meant the world to me and I was devasted when he died. I was just 8 years old. Even though my dad was in my life and saw him several times a year, there's lots of issues with him. I can't change it, he's still my dad and I still talk to him and love him. But my stepdad was much more of an actual father than my real dad was, even though it was just a short time." ~Ashli
I love the different perspectives from the stories above because it reflects all the different ways a "dad" can affect our lives. Some dad's are also grandpas, some are step-dads, and often times some are just a close family friend.
They don't have to be our real dad to make a difference.
We can call them whatever we we feel, but the truth is their role in our lives will set the tone for us for the rest of our lives.
I totally believe God gives us who we need, when we need it, like the writing "A Reason, A Season, or A Lifetime." Thanks for writing this Tisha!
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