On this Father’s Day, I want to give tribute to all you father’s out there who so exemplify Christ in your sacrificial love and devotion to your family. I learned so much from my earthly father who went to join my brother in heaven in 1993. I have written many poems and tributes to him. One such tribute was “I Am His Child”
Today, I was drawn to write a poem about my precious heavenly Father who has loved me with His Everlasting love, unconditionally.
Oh Father, I Love You
by Effie Darlene Barba
Oh, Father I came to you first in my youth
Ready to run and tell of Your truth
I studied and worked to make you so proud
You’d see all I’d done- I’m not like the crowd
Polished and shined Your Glory I’d show
From mountaintops shout to the valleys below
I knew I could do it-then you would see
All of my beauty-then you’d love me
Then came the years when all seemed so wrong
I fell to the ground-crushed by the throng
Though I struggled so hard with all of my might
Nothing seemed good, nothing seemed right
Oh Father, my Father; I don’t understand
Weary and worn by the years in this land
I’ve failed you so often, I’ve made Your heart sad
When all that I wanted was to make your heart glad
All of the struggles, the trials of life
The sickness, the pain, the sorrow and strife
I’m covered with scars, the battles I’ve lost
While chasing vain dreams at such a high cost
“Dear Child don’t you see it is all as I planned
So, please, my dear child, come take my hand
Your beauty doth shine more bright than the stars
Aglow with a radiance shone forth from the scars
Your eyes are so tender, washed by a tear
My Grace to reflect to all who draw near
Your heart that was broken-stripped of your will
A vessel now emptied- my spirit could fill
Oh, how I love you, my child don’t you see
I’ve heard every whisper, I’ve heard every plea
It was I who held you in the dark of the night
I sang you a love song until the dawn light
I’ve watched how you’ve grown, the love in your heart
That sparkle of joy you to strangers impart
You could not become the person you are
Were it not for the tears or occasional scar
I’m so proud of you child, all you’ve become
I’ll shout from the heavens, my child “Well Done”
You’ve been faithful and true through all of your life
Through the trials, the heart breaks, and even the strife
Covered with righteousness bought by my son
Redeemed you have been, your victory won
You never were meant to win by your might
The battle was mine, mine only to fight”
Oh, Father, I love you with all of my heart
My greatest treasure you’ve been from the start
The Joy I know now, came from all those years
A precious, rare gift that you gave me through tears
[bctt tweet=”God’s Love Pursued Me, Engulfed Me, and Filled me with His Joy, His Hope, and His Love Song.”]
If you want to leave a tribute to your father, please feel free to do so here—COMMENT HERE.
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header is Ronald Barba. Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you. Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.