god gives a shit.

Fathers day was different this year.

I was sitting on the bed next to my dad when i began to scroll through Instagram. I saw TONS of pictures of people celebrating their dads. Pictures of the present and the past. Pictures of memories and pain. I scrolled and scrolled… more and more pictures. More and more stories.

This could very well be my last fathers day with my dad. I could not stop thinking about that.

The past, the pain, the future, the dreams. Everything that i have ever experienced and will experience has something to do with my father. From the time i was born he has influenced me in some way. Whether it is for the better or worse, big or the small. He has something to do with shaping me.

Then it hit me… Not many people have that.

Fathers day means so many things to so many different people…

“he left”

“he died”

“he is good”

“he has not been around for 20 years”

“he is my best friend”

“i have never met him”

“i love him”

“he will never understand”

“he is here, but he isn’t”

“he is never proud of me”

“i hate him”

“he is amazing”

No matter what it means to us… we all have some kind of thought when we are asked about him.

I read a book recently and one of the chapters began with “i believe god gives a shit, about your life, about your story, about your pain.” These words jumped out to me. Not because there was a “cuss” word in the sentence but because we all have a lot of shitty things that have happened to us in our lives… usually from the actions of other people. BUT God does care.

It reminds me of the Instagram pictures and stories.

It reminds me of my pictures and my stories.

It reminds me of your pictures and your stories.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

One thing i want you to think about:

1. What is the most recent memory of your father?

I was hanging out with my dad 6 weeks ago… Laughing, talking, reminiscing.

Today… he will not respond to me.

I have learned something over the last few days…

My dad once had a dad.

His dad once had a dad.

His dads dad once had a dad.

Every single one of them made mistakes.

Life is way too fragile to let pain keep us from experiencing love.

Talk to that person. Whether its your dad, mom, friend or brother.

Destroy every elephant in the room.

Forgive them. No matter the cost.

Cherish every single moment.

It ends before you know it.

Live a life where the people close to you will say they felt like you loved them. That is the only life worth living.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — -

At the end of the day, no matter what happens…

The pain is real.

The questions may never be answered.

You may still be broken.

BUT

God does give a shit.

I give a shit.

Your life matters.

Your story matters.