Denise J. Hughes
About the Author

Denise is a lover of words and the Word. She's the author of #DeeperWaters and the Bible study series #WordWriters.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
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  1. Denise,
    My dad gave me a rare and special treat this week. Kind of unusual since he passed away five years ago. While going through boxes of books, I came upon a book on parenting that my dad had given me (John Rosemond’s no nonsense book on parenting, “Because I Said So!” – one a I recommend). Anyway, as I flipped through the pages a sheet of paper with my dad’s notes from a sermon fell out. The sermon was called “A Cure For The If Onlys” and it talked about how God uses all our parenting mistakes for His glory (this was so timely considering what I was going through lamenting some parenting mistakes I’ve made). There was my dad’s easily recognizable block printing (yes, he was an engineer). It was like he was reaching down from heaven and handing it to me. All this to say that our dad’s continue to be with us even when in heaven and if our earthly dads fail us, God (Abba Daddy) is ALWAYS there for us no matter what. Thank you for your post and wishing all my (in)courage friends hope on this Father’s Day!
    Blessings,
    Bev

  2. Denise,

    My dad is still here. He is doing sooo much better this year than in past 3+ years. Abba Father worked a miracle in him and is allowing me to enjoy this special time with him. Yesterday I drove my dad to the lake. He walked down and looked at water for a while. it was enjoyable.

    Blessings 🙂

  3. Bev,
    What a beautiful story! I love when God uses a tangible thing to remind us that He IS right there and He cares so much about our day to day lives. Thanks for sharing!

  4. Thank you, Lord, for this gracious post; Denise, I am so grateful for your words. It brings a comfort to my worn heart concerning my own father. These holidays are hard, but Abba Father, like you said Bev, is always with us to shelter, comfort, and hugs us at just the right time, our solid foundation of love. I cling to Him these days, seeking His love and grace in these unknown and uncertain places. Please pray for my father, that things will be set aright by Abba for His glory. May our earthly fathers be uplifted today in His tender care and our heavenly Father praised to the ends of the earth 🙂

  5. Thank you Denise for this! Father’s Day (and Mother’s Day) is fraught with emotions. I was disowned by my father 25 years ago because I dared to tell the truth about what really went on in my family. Like you, while I found comfort in the promise of that verse, I struggled with what it meant and how an invisible God could fill the hole my earthly Father left. Looking back, God didn’t exactly fill the hole, he showed me what a real Father is like by the way he cared for me, provided for me and the wonderful friends he put around me. Some of the male friends in my life are wonderful fathers and I am blessed to have them in my life. God has given me life and good things where my dad had only given me bad.

  6. Thank you for this post. It was really meaningful for me. I lost my dad when I was 11. So Father’s Day does not mean the same thing to me as it does for many.
    And it has been a day of sadness for me, a reminder of my loss, of what I don’t have. But your post reminds me my heavenly father is here for me and will always be. He will never leave me and never forsake me is probably my most favorite scripture. Happy Father’s Day Abba!

  7. Thanks, this is so true. My heart though cries out to God on behalf of my son, married for 10 years, he and his wife could not have a child up to now. Every fathers and mothers day this is a sad thought. Please pray with me for them.

  8. I love the line, if you have no one to call. that God is calling you. He’s the best Father any of us could have. that is why men should really get to know Him and there would be better earthly fathers and not just baby daddies.

  9. This am in service, we sang, “You’re a good, good Father. It’s who you are, it’s who you are…and I am loved by You. It’s who I am, it’s who I am.”
    So, thankful for my heavenly Papa! When mother or father forsake us, He takes us up into His arms, PS 27:10.

  10. Thank you thank you for this. I think so often we overlook those who have an earthly father…or two like I do yet they still aren’t that involved in our lives. They aren’t the “hallmark card” type of dad. That’s me…that’s where I am at in my life. I have a dad and stepdad but together they still don’t make up the type of dad you see described so lovingly in the Hallmark store. So it makes it challenging on Father’s Day. However, I am thankful to have two earthly dads and I am able to see the things in them that I can be grateful for on Father’s Day.
    Most importantly though…I have been able to look at God our father as my most perfect father. It was through the song Good Good Father that I heard God speaking to me one day in my minivan. I heard Him saying to me that He is the best dad of all and He is perfect in all of his way. I am seeing more and more of God telling me daily how much he cares for me…no matter what. I have learned so much about the way God parents me through having 4 children of my own (ages 8,6,4 and 2). I also have been blessed with the most wonderful gift of a husband who is an amazing dad to our children. He has started a new legacy for both of our families in the way he parents our children.

  11. I was orphaned at age 9. I claimed God as my Father quite literally. I know and believe His angels cared for me, protected me. My life would tell you the many many miracles that are only the hand of God. I have met His angel at my sick bedside and other humans He nudged to provide for my needs. The more I examine my life from my mothers pregnancy on I know His will, His ways, His timing are perfect. And He uses all things for good. ( FYI I was orphaned in India where there was little to no value to my existence). “How great is our God, sing with me how great is our God, all will see how great, how great is our God.” He speaks to me through music often!

    • Corena,
      Your story is why I work with Redeemer Christian Foundation, Inc. we introduce orphans in Pakistan to their good, good, Father and to the light and love of Jesus Christ. Thank you for sharing your story…it really resonated with me.
      Blessings,
      Bev

      • I than God for ministry like your, you see the father I am talking about is actually my stepfather. He take of me and my sister as if we his biological children. He never abused us or speak to us rude. I did not know my biological father, but God gave me a earthly father that I did of to second guess. As human most time we make it seems as father’s does not count as parents. I do not get much credit from my mother but God help me to love her for who she is. My stepdad and Godgive me the reassurance that i am worth more gold.

  12. I want to wish everyone and their family a Blessed Father’s Day. I think I have the best father in the world, who still call me every week same day and time just to say hello. My dad is my loudest coach in my life for long as I can remember.