God as a Father

A Miracle Leads to a Transfer of Trust

I walked into the kitchen and found mama crying at the table. Her face was cupped in her hands.

“What’s the matter, mama?”

She glanced at me, then stared out the window, “What are we supposed to do? We have no more food. Why doesn’t your father care enough to take any job to feed us? He could be a gas station attendant, anything, at least something.”

My father got laid off from General Dynamics. Political winds had shifted with Kennedy’s assassination and the secret program he was working on was shut down. Jobs of this sort were hard to find. There was a lot of competition with others who had been laid off.

I looked through the open pantry doors behind her. It was usually stocked full of food. It was empty. I opened the refrigerator door. There was a quart of milk and a couple of small containers. It used to be full.

I put my hand on mama’s shoulder. My eleven-year-old mind went to work. What could we do? We had no food, but daddy drove a Lincoln Continental!

“Why doesn’t he sell the car, Mama! He could get a cheaper car. Then we’d have money for food.”

She stared out the window as tears trickled down her face. “He said he can’t. He said he has to keep the car, because it fits his image.”

“Why don’t we ask someone for help?”

“No! We can’t do that! Don’t you tell anyone. Do you understand? Daddy said that no one is to know.”

There was a look of panic in her eyes that I’d never seen before.

“Okay, Mama. I won’t tell.”

She cupped her face in her hands again and cried softly.

“Don’t cry, Mama. Don’t cry.” I patted her back.

Why didn’t he care for us enough to provide for us? That’s what fathers do—love and provide. But he had always been so distant, so angry. This just confirmed my suspicion. He didn’t love me.

Late that night there was a knock. I could see the surprise and alarm on my parents’ faces. No one would knock this late unless there was something wrong. Dad and Mom, both, answered the door. It was Mr. Pancoast, an elder from our church.

“Are you folks, okay?” Mr. Pancoast asked them.

Dad and Mom looked at each other with raised eyebrows as if to ask silently, “Did you tell?”

Seeing their faces he went on without waiting for an answer, “While I was praying tonight, an angel appeared. He told me to empty my freezer and bring you this food.” He motioned to two large cardboard boxes behind him. They were filled full, almost overflowing.

At that moment, I transferred my trust from my earthly father to my heavenly Father. Maybe my father didn’t care enough to provide for me, but my heavenly Father did.

Soon after, Daddy abandoned us. Though our income dropped below poverty level for many years, I never lacked what I needed. I’d pray, “God, my earthly father won’t provide for me. But I know you love me, so I’m asking you…” God even provided temporary earthly father figures when I asked.

God is a faithful Father and Provider. He never fails or forsakes us. I am so grateful to Him for His love.