Father’s Day can stir up a lot of different emotions for people. Some good, like gratitude, joy, and fond memories. But for some people it brings up resentment, abandonment, and sadness because they didn’t have a great relationship with a father figure.
The later was true for a camper named Katie*. Near the end of her week at camp, her cabin was asked if anyone was having a hard time forgiving someone. About half the girls joined in prayer at the alter, but Katie stayed behind and asked to pray one-on-one with her counselor. It turns out she didn’t have the best father figure at home. In fact, he recently told her that he doesn’t consider her as his daughter anymore.
Katie’s counselor sat and prayed and talked with Katie until later that night. She assured her that she was not alone in her struggles and that she has a whole team of counselors and campers who care about her deeply. She also reminded her that, through Christ, she will always have a father who won’t leave or disown her.
As for myself, I also struggled with feelings of abandonment in my teenage years. Just like Katie, I had the opportunity to build healthy relationships through camp. It also provided a safe setting to discuss and work through the emotional challenges that youth face in their daily lives.
Camp was there for Katie when she needed it the most.
Our Kendall is only 8 months old, but someday she will go through teenage emotions. As much as I want to protect her from everything that comes her way, I know that some conversations will need to be had between her and a trusted role-model, like Katie and her counselor.
Psalms 68:5 says, “To the Fatherless, He is a Father. To the widow, He is a Champion Friend. To the lonely, He gives a family. To the prisoner, He leads into prosperity until they each sing for joy.”
Taylor Agnew
*name has been changed
Agnew Family Ministry 