This was taken when I was in the 6th grade; my dad left for the final time.
As I am preparing to go to New Mexico this weekend to speak on my personal story which I call, “Daddy, Do You Love Me?”… I got a bit sidetracked. I began thinking about how blessed and thankful I am. As I was thinking about all the ways the Lord has taken care of me as I was growing up without a daddy to watch over me, I checked into some statistics of kiddos growing up without a daddy. After reading over several items on this subject, I was even more thankful. I was a girl at risk and by God’s amazing grace, I made it through without too many scars.
Here are just a few of the many sad statistics of kids growing up in a fatherless home:
43% of US children live without their father
90% of homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes
71% of pregnant teenagers lack a father
63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes
85% of children who exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes
71% of high school dropout comes from fatherless homes
75% of adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes
85% of youths in prisons grew up in a fatherless home
*About 40% of children in father-absent homes have not seen their father at all during the past year;
26% of absent fathers live in a different state than their children; and
50% of children living absent their father have never set foot in their father’s home.
(Statistics are from the US Department of Census)
Aren’t those sad statistics? It makes my heart hurt!
The good news!
“When my father forsakes me, then the Lord will take care of me.” -Pslam 27:10
“He is a father to the fatherless.” – Pslam 68:5
You don’t have to be one of those statistics! You can make it! I know you can!
Put your faith and trust in Christ, let Him be your Heavenly Daddy! Sounds easy, doesn’t it?
The answer is no, it’s not that easy, BUT….it can be done.
If you are struggling in any of these areas, I would love to visit with you. Use the contact form or leave a comment and and let’s talk!
Oh beverly,i love this pic. I remember our years in elementary school. Sweet memories. Keep in mind you also avoided some other issues growing up without your dad. ..,, i grew up with an aloholic dad from 1st grade to 12th grade. I loved my dad but sometimes it was hell.
Hi Vicki! I know you must have seen some sad things living with an alcoholic daddy. I’m so sorry! We do love our dads and at the same time wish it were so different. But, we may not be who we are today if we didn’t have to go through all of that, right? We have been tested and been through the fire….we are stronger for it! You are a survivor!
Oh, Beverly, would absolutely love to hear “your story.” But, it appears to me that the Lord really had HIS hand on you and molded and made you into HIS child and certainly you are a testimony to God’s faithfulness. Yes, I do believe when we walk through the fires that we can come through stronger. Blessings to you this weekend, I know you will be blessing to all who hear you.
Thank you, Lea, you are too sweet! Thank you for your encouraging comment!
~Beverly