Because his work often takes him near where I went to school, we made it a point to spend some quality time together while I was in college. Actually, my dad and I have always been very close, and one of the sweetest things he has taught me is how to trust my other Dad.

Learning to Trust
Some of my earliest memories are of learning to be dependent on other people. Because I had a physical disability, my parents had to help me walk, push my wheelchair or carry me wherever I needed to go. Instead of being depressed about having a daughter who wasn’t “normal,” they made my childhood far more than normal. They made it amazing. When it snowed, Dad would tie a rope to a sled and pull me around the yard. Granted, we couldn’t have gone very fast — but I had so much fun!

When I went to amusement parks on school trips, my dad would go with me. He would ride with me, and when the physical obstacles prevented me from jumping on a roller coaster, we simply did something else. Just the two of us.

Some of my favorite memories come from the times we went to the county fair together and rode the carousel. He had to hold onto me while I was riding, and I loved the safety I felt when he was beside me. There’s something about that memory that strikes me as particularly beautiful now. My dad was holding me, while the rest of the world spun so fast it looked like a sidewalk-chalk drawing, smeared in the rain. All the lights, the music, the voices, and the people blurred together until I couldn’t really decide where I was. It didn’t matter, because he was there. No matter how fast we went, my dad was right there to make sure I’d never fall.

My Other Dad
The same is true in my life right now. I treasure the dates I have with my dad. I also treasure the time I spend with my heavenly Dad — the One whose hand is always on me, even in times when I feel frightened, to make sure I won’t fall. There’s no peace more perfect than the peace God grants when I trust and depend on Him for everything I need.

My earthly dad reminds me of my heavenly Dad in other ways, too. Both of them are encouraging. When I’m around them, I feel special, loved and wanted. I know God didn’t create me because He was bored — He created me because He wanted me. He wanted to spend time with me; He loves to see me laugh. Just like my dad, God treasures the time we spend together. Just the two of us.

A Love That Never Fails
Some of the most painful things I’ve seen my friends experience is going through their parents’ divorce. One friend grew up in a single-parent family. Though her mom was always loving and fun, my friend never felt wanted by her dad.

I can’t pretend for a second that I totally understand how losing a parent must feel, but if your parents are splitting up or you feel totally rejected by someone — please know that you are so very wanted!

Our lives are no mistake, and our heavenly Father cares so intimately about each one of us that He was willing to make a major sacrifice. Not only does He long to spend time with you, but He thinks you’re beautiful, talented and capable.

I’m convinced that God is a total romantic. I’m also convinced He is, in every way, a total Dad. He wants us to crawl up in His lap and cry, talk to Him when we’re excited and listen to the advice He gives. People will inevitably let us down; but God offers us a love that never fails.

What I’ve Learned From My Dad
My dad has taught me a lot. (He even tried to teach me how to golf.) I know I want to marry someone with the qualities my dad has and who treats me the way my dad treats my mom. I know I can call him when I’ve made some major mistakes, and he’ll still love me. Both of my dads have taught me I can trust them, and I’m so thankful for that unconditional love.

When I was in high school, my family made a trip to the beach during the summer. Because of the disability I had as a child, I had never been able to walk on the sand by myself before — so I was very excited! I stepped onto the squishy surface and walked beside the ocean and felt the water take the sand from underneath me. I knew God must have been smiling as I breathed in the ocean air and thanked Him that He made all those beautiful stars, all the sand underneath me and still thought I was the crown of His creation.

It was a really neat experience to walk by myself beside the ocean. But before I knew it, I found myself holding onto my dad’s arm while we walked. It was more beautiful when I was holding onto him. It was a moment I shared with both dads.

No matter what happens, let’s keep holding on.