Since my father died, I’ve written him several letters. It’s my way of keeping him present and it can also be quite therapeutic for those who have lost a loved one. With Father’s Day on the horizon, a letter shared seemed appropriate.

Dear Dad,

As I write this letter, I’m watching the sunrise over the bay in northern Michigan. The hues are magnificent and just as my eyes marvel at the sight, I know yours would too. Every time I have this experience I think about God’s creativity and smile. I would love it if we were sitting here together and find it difficult to believe that you left this earth four years ago.

Since my last letter, much has happened. In 2020 we experienced a pandemic, and a pause button was pressed on everyone and everything. The world came to a complete stop and our twenty-first-century levels of hierarchy through status, wealth, and race were irrelevant. Every person was affected. This dilemma brought discontentment and living in Chicago at the time was very unsettling. I felt stress from experiencing protests in the streets, hearing helicopters above, and continuous unfiltered news.

Dad, we’ve witnessed God do great things through unbearable circumstances. Although you were diagnosed with terminal cancer, I noted all that He was doing in your life. Despite the situation, He met you in a difficult place and you allowed Him to do something unexpected.

It was a joy to witness it all unfold, including the flow of people who visited and ministered.

The love you needed to experience was gifted ten-fold and your inner healing overcame the physical! Only God could provide that.

Last year I experienced more of God’s provision as He offered the world renewal amidst the chaos. Families were asked to stay home, and everyone transitioned away from what seemed normal. The priorities of work travel and social events ended, and for a time our freedom felt taken away. Yet, this shift caused us to come together as communities and countries in new ways and spiritually got my attention. Even in a crisis, God was offering an opportunity of stillness to come fully back to Him.

I’ve always wanted life to go exactly as planned. When things go smoothly, it’s then I think I’m in God’s will, yet in crisis, He is teaching me the depth of what can take place when my trust is rooted in Him. It’s not within my plans or by my own doing, but rather through placing my confidence (solely) in Him, that I receive His strength, guidance, and recognize the path He has for me.

When we allow Him to be our Refuge, He anchors us and can unveil the inner workings that produce true life. Dad, God’s work stirring behind the scenes, far outweighed the pandemic!

“The Lord is good, a Strength and Stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows (recognizes, has knowledge of, and understands) those who take refuge and trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)

As I look out across the bay, I can see the sun’s circular shape peeking up from the horizon. The orange glow is so bright it’s getting harder to look at, yet it is so magnificent that I don’t want to stop. I imagine that’s what being in God's presence might be like? He is so powerful and has done so much for us; how could we possibly stand in His nearness? I try to envision the praise and awe you must be experiencing and although I miss you, I am grateful your life is now fully in His hands.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad.

You’re always in my heart,

XO ~Dannie

[The word ‘refuge’ comes from the Hebrew root term Machaceh, meaning ‘shelter.’ In modern English, ‘shelter’ is often applied to structures providing safety from things like rain. When we are rooted in God, we trust that He will be our shelter in any time of need, and under His shelter, we are always fully covered and secured.]

“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, AMPC)

Only One Refuge