My Father's Eyes

Ever since I was a little girl I've heard the words..

You've got your father's eyes! But never once did I have to be told - I was daddy's little girl. That was a known fact. There were times I'd even use that as an escape tactic. Like the time, when I got sunburned so bad and could barely move, because it was so painful. My mom would say, "Vahen, you HAVE to get up and keep moving or your joints will tighten, and it will be even harder to walk." My response would be, "but my daddy wouldn't make me do it" thinking that was a good thing. Haha

Over the years I've realized, I that I had more in common with my dad than just his eye color. . Apparently I had his smile and chubby cheeks. His big heart, and his willingness to talk with anyone, and give the shirt off his back if they needed it. But, I also had his strong will and absent mindedness. Which was not always bad, but sometimes it would get us into trouble. LOL That MIGHT have had something to do with the red hair and freckles that I also inherited. But, one thing I knew about my dad was, that he was there when I needed him.

Like the time I was crying in my room, confused and afraid to trust in Vaughan's love. My dad said to me, "Vahen you have to let go and let Vaughan love you. Trust him." He knew something I didn't, but that was MY DAD! And he was right, because shortly after that, Vaughan and I were engaged.

Then, when I was welcomed into the king family, I thought cool, I get another set of parents. ANOTHER DAD! But, even before meeting me, my new "family to be" accepted me with open hearts. That might not seem like a big deal to most, but when your son tells you that the women he's about to marry has a life-threatening virus, and may never walk again! That's a BIG DEAL!

(To read more of my story click here)

PAW, or "father John" as he would like to say, was constantly pushing me to think outside the box and step outside my comfort zone, ALWAYS encouraging me, and empowering me to grow.

For example when I was at my lowest point and struggling in my relationship with the Lord, I remember telling him. "I'm not in a good place right now." At which point, he would always redirect my focus by asking me about my job.

I remember on one occasion I said, "but, I don't even want to go to church.."

Where he'd respond with "GOOD ON YA!!" (With a hint of excitement..) followed by "Keep up the good work!" With the sole purpose of showing me how I was making a difference in the lives of those around me. Telling me, "that’s how Jesus made a difference ya now, He was with the people."

From day one "father John" and the King family accepted me and supported me whole heartedly..

You see I came into the King family in a box with "some assembling required" haha BUT!! knowing what I know NOW about paw... That he was an "off the wall" character who loved pushing the envelope, if you will. I think OF COURSE he accepted me! How could he resist such a challenge? There were times I think he would shine a light on me JUST to rattle some cages.

Both of my "dad's" have helped me see the "good" in circumstances, and in myself when I couldn't see it. So you see, when I lost my father in law to cancer March 2017, I struggled to see "THE GOOD." Because he was more than a father in law to me, he was a mentor and dear friend.

When you lose someone who is very dear and special to you, or you experience a life altering tragedy, it challenges you and changes you in unexplainable ways.

When I was in that time of mourning and trying to make sense of it all. Questioning God, and struggling to see "the good." I found this quote by my father in law. Reading his quote you'll catch a glimpse of who he was, and understand why, that even from the grave, "father John" is pushing me outside my comfort zone and challenging me grow.

"Life won’t get easier.

Learn to accept trials, disappointments, suffering,

and incalculable loss.

On some levels, life will become easier. But the fact is, you’ll weather ONE crisis only to meet another.

Life will never become void of pain, discouragement

and periods of suffering.

BUT remember, these ARE the TOOLS of YOUR Lord to transform you. So don’t waste your sufferings. Lean into them to see Christ in a fresh way. A crisis is an unwelcomed opportunity to discover a new aspect of Jesus Christ."

I love both my dad's, and my family dearly, and cherish every moment we have together on this earth. I also love how they have both influenced me to be the woman I am today. But, I pray that my life will even more reflect the attributes of my Heavenly Father.

Paw, I don't want to waste my suffering.

I want to hear people say, You have your Father's heart of compassion. You have your father's hands because you reach out to those in need. You have His feet because you walk in obedience to Him. But most of all, I want to hear people say, I have "My Fathers Eyes."

Listen to "My Father's Eyes" By Amy Grant.

I don't know if Father's Day is a happy day or an unbearable day for you, but I pray that no matter what life may bring you, you embrace the love of your Heavenly Father as I have, and find comfort in Him!

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NLT)

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ."