This was on my heart today. I was raised by incredible men who became father figures in my life because my biological father wanted nothing to do with me. He left my mother when she was a pregnant teenager. He went on to live his life and raise seven other children... but not me. While I was blessed with two amazing dads, first being adopted by my uncle and later by my stepdad, I still carried the weight of rejection. As a little girl, I would often think to myself, "What's wrong with me?" I watched this man love and care for my half-brothers and sisters while rejecting me, and I couldn't understand why. But as I got older, I realized it was never about me. It had everything to do with his own battles, wounds, and choices. I learned that God used him as a vessel to bring me into this world, and then used other men as vessels to provide what I needed along the way. Now, as a grown woman, I realize that the true source of love, acceptance, identity, and everything I have ever needed is found in God our Father. If today is hard for you because of the absence of a father, the loss of a father, or the pain caused by a father, I want to encourage you with this: Healing begins when we recognize who our true source is. People will fail us. Some will leave. Some will reject us. Some will never become the parent we wished they would be. But God has never abandoned you, and He never will. The pain of rejection may take time to heal, but healing starts with two things: 1. Knowing who your source is. 2. Choosing forgiveness. Forgiveness does not excuse what happened. It simply releases you from carrying the weight of it. Today, whether Father's Day brings joy or pain, know that you are deeply loved by your Heavenly Father. Your value was never determined by who stayed or who left. Your value was settled at the cross. Happy Father's Day to all the amazing dads, father figures, spiritual fathers, and mentors who have stepped into the gap and reflected the love of our Heavenly Father. 💛