Our family’s brief venture into fostering resulted in colossal failure. Daily, we felt ill-equipped and overwhelmed. We’d gone into the endeavor with such hopes. We’d reveal Christ, bring healing, and ultimately point every kiddo that came into our home to eternal life.

We didn’t do any of that, at least, not nearly as consistently as we would’ve liked. In fact, there were many times we were anything but Christ-like. One thing I’m certain we succeeded in–we demonstrated what a healthy (albeit far from perfect) marriage and family looked like.

We all need godly examples. We can all set godly examples, as my guest, June Foster, reveals in her post below. As you read it, consider mentors, whether intentional or coincidental, God has placed in your life along with whom you can be a role model to.

Faithful Fathers by June Foster.

Father’s Day is just a few days away. No doubt you’ll honor your godly parent who’s always been there for you. Right? No, you say? My father beat me or left me when I was three. Then this post is for you!

Don Wildmon is the founder of American Family Association. His son Tim and grandson Wesley run the ministry today. In the June 2018 AFA Journal, there’s an encouraging story about how Tim learned to father his children because he had a godly example. He says the number one thing that affected his attitude was the way his father treated his mother.

God’s ideal plan for families in raising their children is by parental example.

But wait. I know so many men and women who never had the privilege or opportunity to be nurtured by a Christian father. They only saw drunkenness, heard foul language, or witnessed abuse in their homes. And they grew up with bitterness and hate. What about those guys? Does God still loves them?

Let me tell you about one such person. His father beat and abused his mother then left her and five siblings when he was twelve to fend for themselves in financial trouble.

This young man hurt but as a young adult found a “friend.” Alcohol. This “friend” soothed his bitterness for years. But this “friend” was fickle. The morning after the binge, the hurt and pain always returned, and he had to imbibe all over again.

But, the story doesn’t end there. Eventually, this man discovered another Father. The Lord God. It didn’t happen overnight, but eventually God showed him who He was. How much He loved him.

Today, this man has no more need to numb the pain of rejection from his earthly father because he’s found another Dad. Hallelujah.

I praise God for the Wildmon family, but if you grew up without that example, take heart.

“As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you” (John 15:9, ESV).

For those of you struggling this Father’s Day, can you allow God to replace the earthly father you never had? He will never leave nor forsake you. (Heb. 13:5) For those of you with amazing fathers, what can you do this week to provide the same type of godly example to those within your sphere of influence? And to all of us, this weekend, as we celebrate the men God has placed in our lives (or perhaps, for those who are mourning the fathers they lost or never had), may we take time to draw near to our Heavenly Father.

Before you go, make sure to sign up for my free quarterly newsletter! You’ll receive great, inspirational content sent directly to your inbox each quarter. (You should also receive a free, 36-lesson study in ebook form, so please contact me through this site if you do not.)

Speaking of relationships, and potentially hurtful ones, make sure to pop on over to Wholly Loved Ministries’ site to watch my short devotional video on moving past rejection. You can find it HERE. And for those interested in my latest release, Dancing in the Rain, make sure to check out the latest reviews HERE.

Get to know June!

An award-winning author, June Foster is a retired teacher with a BA in education and MA in counseling. Her characters find themselves in tough situations but overcome through God’s power and the Word. She writes edgy topics wrapped in a good story. To date, she’s seen seventeen contemporary romances and several short stories published. Find June online at junefoster.com.

Check out her latest release, a Home For Fritz!

All Brooke Cantrell wants is two weeks to live Brooke Radcliff’s life. But the one person who knows the truth resides in the room next to hers at Sunlight Peaks Guest Ranch. When Brooke falls in love with the handsome wrangler who works on the ranch, will her employer’s daughter tell him the truth Brooke hides?

Garrett Bowman has finally found peace under Wyoming skies at Sunrise Peaks Guest Ranch. Never again will he return to the demanding corporate life in Seattle, Washington. But will the guests recognize him from the incriminating newspaper and magazine articles eighteen months ago?

When Garrett’s dog, Fritz, is in grave danger, an intriguing guest helps Garrett get his golden doodle to the vet. As Fritz heals, he whines and begs until he can lay his head in Brooke Radcliff’s comfortable lap. Fritz has fallen in love, but so has Garrett.

If Garrett discovers Brook’s secret, will he walk away from her?

If Brooke learns Garrett’s true identify, will she turn from him like all the others?