Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement

Yesterday was Father’s Day—a day wrapped in celebration for many, but also laced with complexity for others. Throughout the day, I heard from so many people who were wrestling with a whirlwind of emotions—some mourning the loss of a father, others grieving the absence of one, and many carrying wounds from relationships that never felt whole. For some, it was a day of joy and warm memories of a father’s love and legacy. But for others, it stirred grief, regret, and lingering questions—especially for those who never truly felt known or embraced by a dad at all.

Wherever you fall on that spectrum, I want you to hear something today that’s bigger than your pain, deeper than your disappointment, and stronger than your grief: You are not fatherless. No matter what your earthly experience has been, you have a Heavenly Father—a Father who never leaves, who always loves, and who knows how to redeem the broken chapters you thought were beyond repair.

One of the most powerful stories in Scripture that speaks directly into this truth is the account of Hagar and Ishmael in Genesis 21. Cast out into the wilderness by no fault of their own, Hagar wandered with her son until all the water was gone and hope evaporated with it. Fearing the worst, she placed Ishmael under a bush and walked away—unable to bear the thought of watching him die.

But then… God stepped in.

“God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, ‘What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.’”
— Genesis 21:17 (NIV)

God didn’t just hear Hagar. He heard the boy. He heard the cry of a child overlooked and forgotten. And He didn’t just listen—He acted. He opened Hagar’s eyes to a well of water and declared a powerful promise over Ishmael’s life: that he would become a great nation.

This is not just a survival story. It’s a story of a Father who sees, a Father who hears, and a Father who provides. A story that reminds us that even in the wilderness—especially in the wilderness—God is present, active, and faithful.

Maybe your life story isn’t neat and tidy. Maybe it’s marked by detours, disappointments, or decisions that left you questioning your worth. Maybe, like Ishmael, you were born into a story you didn’t write—a story complicated by others’ mistakes. And maybe, like Hagar, you’ve wandered far from hope, wondering if anyone sees you.

But here’s the miracle: God does.

He sees what others missed. He hears the cries no one else noticed. He provides wells in deserts and purpose in pain. Your story is not too broken. Your past is not too messy. Your identity is not defined by who left you—it’s defined by the One who stayed.

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling.”
— Psalm 68:5

“Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.”
— Psalm 27:10

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”
— 1 John 3:1

Let those words wrap around your heart today. You are seen. You are known. You are loved. Whether this Father’s Day brought joy or sorrow, healing or longing—know this: God is the Good Father. And He’s still stepping in. He’s still opening eyes. He’s still redeeming stories.

Even in the places that feel forgotten, He’s preparing a future full of promise.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being the kind of Father who never fails and never walks away. On a day when so many are reflecting on their fathers—some with gratitude, some with grief—I pray Your love would break through every barrier. Speak peace into the hearts that feel empty, rejected, or alone.

You are the Father to the fatherless. You are the healer of wounds time couldn’t mend. You see every hidden tear and hear every silent cry. Like You did for Hagar, open our eyes to the wells You’ve already placed in our wilderness. Show us that hope is not gone—it’s just waiting to be seen.

For the one who never knew their dad… be their comfort.
For the one mourning a loss… be their peace.
For the one wrestling with regret… be their restoration.
And for the one trying to be a better father… be their strength and example.

Thank You for calling us Your children—not because we earned it, but because You love us that deeply. Wrap us in that truth today. We rest in Your presence, trust in Your provision, and rejoice in Your perfect love.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.