Introduction:

Every home has its problems. Being raised with an absent father in the 50’s -60’s era, had a negative effect on each family member.

I was also dealing with the Nuns of Catholicism, which was a religion of rules. Before Vatican II, it was all about what the priests and nuns commanded. When comedians joked about Catholic Guilt, they weren’t kidding. It was very real to all of us little ones. So, you place the Catholic guilt together with fear of “Father,” and you get an overwhelmed, fearful child!

However, from my father came many good blessings: love of God, righteousness, intelligence, work ethic, goal setting, communication skills, and the desire for a higher education. He was brilliant with language.

From our mother, we were truly inundated with the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, but also the following blessings: Love, laughter, creativity, a deep Christian Faith, my Rosary, love of people, acceptance, help towards the needy, education, and communication skills.

It wasn’t until my recovery from post-partum depression in’79, that something dawned on me, as well as my nursing proff sister.

HELLLOOOOO! It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that my sister and I may have acquired a few unfortunate genes from our father. Life begins when you make positive choices.

My Sis and I made some great ones. Placing our Faith first and foremost, along side of marrying strong, Christian men, we both totally created a Great Family Life.

As I began to rebuild my life, an entire aura of peace of mind and spirit began to transform my well being, as I digested the Psalms.

With old Catholicism, I was taught about Grace. However, I truly knew nothing about it since rules, and earning salvation thrived. I didn’t understand Grace until I was 50 years old. I attended Vineyard Columbus every Sat. Eve with my best Girlfriend, Gracie. I looked at her during a service, with tears streaming down my face. “My Mom was right. When Christ said ,’It is finished,’ He meant it! He paid it in full.”

Whenever I am asked to speak at a Church event, I always begin my testimony with the following statement: “I believe in love, laughter,

and The Fruits of The Holy Spirit. However, God loved me enough to take me apart, and put me back together the way He wanted me to be.”

As a child, the Nuns taught us the love of Jesus. However this God the Father Guy, was like an old man with a cattle prod, ready to zap me at my first mistake. Not having a father that touched my heart, I needed a Father in a big way.

The following are the major changes that recreated me:

• Digesting THE WORD, especially the Psalms, became the engine that pulled me out of the darkness, into the Light. I cried out to The Father, as did King David. My mind began to transform.
• I realized that I needed a relationship with the Father…..I needed a Father desperately. Jesus was my Savior, The Holy Spirit lived within me, but I needed a Father.
• I also realized that taking daily meds for depression/anxiety was no different than taking my blood pressure pill. If my body lacked a certain chemical, God now provided it, in order for me to reach my highest potential.

My love for Christ, and the fulfillment of Bible Study became overwhelming! However, I realized that something was still missing.

I needed an ABBA, Father.

ABBA, Father,…….I cry out to you!

HE SHOWED UP IN A POWERFUL WAY!

Date

Father, as I begin this journey with you, help me to begin my day by sitting in your presence. Even a small period of time can make a huge difference in my day.

You are The Father that I so desperately crave. Since my friend’s daughter was two, I would watch “ Little Z” with her father at church. I often couldn’t bear to look at them. It often brought tears to my eyes. The absence of a father in my life was painful.

Even at 26,”Z” is still daddy’s little girl! I want that, Father. Only you can fulfill that emptiness….that void in my heart.

ABBA, Father…..I cry out to you!

Oh My Precious Fearless Faith! I am holding you on My lap. You are, and forever will be, My Little Girl!

Just be still and spend time with me. My arms are hugging you tight. We two are one, just enjoying each other. So many of my children turn to drugs, immoral relationships, and alcohol to fill the void in their lives. They don’t understand that it is only a relationship with me that can fill that emptiness.

You have chosen a path that will ignite your life with peace, and freedom from anxiety.   Know that I am with you this day, and that your roots reach The Living Water.

I love you. You are my Precious One.

Your ABBA….Father

Ps1:1-3 Blessed is he who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, but his delight is on the Law of the Lord. He meditates upon it day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.