June 15, 2017 - In 1997 one of the largest earthquakes to ever hit Russia occurred. There was massive damage to buildings as well as many lives lost. There was a story that came out of that tragedy however that I have never forgotten. It is the story of a young preschool girl named Anna who was dropped off at daycare by her Dad that day just like every other day.
Every day when he dropped her off she would begin to cry and he would promise her that no matter what happened he would come back for her. She would stop crying and he would leave making sure that he was there to pick her up every day after school. The day of the earthquake the building where the daycare was, collapsed. The local authorities began searching for survivors. The father was there as well, digging day and night, he would not stop.
The officials stopped the search after 3 days concluding there were no survivors, but the father refused to leave. Day and night he continued to dig through the rubble with his bare hands. Officials tried to get him to leave, but he refused saying, "I have never left my daughter and I will not stop until I bring her home." After another 3 days of searching he heard a weak voice in the rubble and began to cry out his daughters name. He heard a weak reply. The authorities were summoned and an area about the size of a small office was uncovered with several adults and yes, little Anna was still alive. When the dad picked the girl up she said, "I knew you would come for me. You have never left me." The adult survivors stated that when they lost hope that Anna would encourage them, never giving up hope her Dad would come for her. They commented she repeatedly encouraged them with the words. My father would never leave me here.
You see, that's what daddies do. Any man can father a child but only real men are "daddies." Real dads never leave their families alone and protect them with their lives. Real dads always provide for, always participate in, and are always quick to praise their wives and children. Real Dads try to leave a legacy for their sons and daughters to follow.
Know matter how your father on this earth has treated you, remember you have a Heavenly Father that loves you that way. He is not a distant father but one that is with us day and night. He's a real father. In Romans 8:14-15 Paul says, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out "Abba (meaning daddy) Father."
This means we have a God that has brought us into His family as children and loves us just as we are. So no matter what situation you may find yourself, know that your Heavenly Father has your back. He says, "I will never leave you or forsake you." (Hebrews 13.5). He will not leave you when you need Him most.
He does that, not because He has to, but because its just what daddies do!
Just Sayin,
Mike Belgard
