A Father's Faith Journey

I wrote this story and sent it to Joe Neal host of Christian Media Spotlight. He asked me if I would be okay with him sharing the story I wrote as a features article to their main page and the Facebook group. I told him that I didn't mind and that I was okay with it, so here is that story called A Father's Faith Journey. I hope you enjoy reading it, as much as I did writing it. It was something that came from my heart, and I like to think that anytime I write a story or I do any type of writing that what comes from my heart because of what God puts on my heart, well I like to think and I know that is what God is wanting me to do because no matter what we go through, no matter what happens, God is in control.

In a cold winter month in Colorado. a grandfather is about to go on a long troubling search to find a daughter he didn't know he had until recently. He is going to go on his search after he receives a piece of mail that contains a letter that leaves him shocked feeling all sorts of emotions but determined to find her and bring her back home safely. This journey for him will not be easy but then again what journey is ever easy? The journey that is ahead for him, will be difficult and long. There will come a time where the grandfather, in this case a dad will be and is going to be tested in faith.

It was the start of a very long winter when Kaleb Johnson a grandfather, was in his cottage and listening to the radio. He has given thoughts to God and helping Him learn more about how to deal with a troubled heart for years, in living in grief of the loss of his wife Katrina. His wife was beautiful and loving that taught her husband that when you live for God you will remember that God is worthy of all praise and that He is our Redeemer and our friend. Although, now that she has passed it seems that he is giving up in knowing what God has done for him and it feels like His Faith is being tested in this time of grieving in a hard loss that seems like a nightmare that he can not wake up from. He feels lost with no direction.

As soon as he is done with the radio, he gets up from the table and sees a piece of mail addressed to him. He sees the address but doesn't recognize it. He opens and it reads, ''Dear dad, I didn't know if you would get this or not. I know when mom passed it was a difficult time but I thought I would write to you and let you know how much I love you. I'm all grown up, but I'm struggling too. I'm in a place that I feel like I can't get myself out of. I know that you don't need to worry about these things and stress, but please know that God has a plan for you. I hope you know that no matter what, you are extremely loved by God and me. I love you dad, and take care. Love, Kelly Ann Johnson. P.S. I'm so sorry for what I've done.''

The grandfather now a dad has just read a letter from a daughter he didn't realize he had. He is feeling conflicted and every motion that any one of us would have after news like that. He starts to do something though, that he has not done in a long time which is pray to God. In the time that He is praying he hears God speaking to him, and telling him what he needs to do.

He bundles up, and locks the door behind him, and goes on the long and difficult journey that will test his faith, and hopefully bring him closer to his daughter and bring her safely home.

He talks with God as He goes on his journey and God says, ''Listen to me and know that prayer is powerful.'' ''You will find her and bring her home.'' ''Where she is, is not safe but I've been watching over her.'' ''She needs you now more then ever.'' ''When you see her, give her love.'' ''Give her the care that she needs to know that you will welcome her with love.''

Kaleb doesn't understand how she got into a dangerous situation but tells God, ''I will and I'm really struggling in my faith walk right now, since the loss of my wife Katrina who passed.''

He hears God's voice say, ''Kaleb I know you've been struggling and that's why I am here to restore your faith in me and let you know that even though your wife isn't with you, she is rejoicing with me in Heaven without anymore pain.'' ''I know the loss for you has been difficult, but you as my child are never alone in these times.'' ''You will be reunited with a daughter that you didn't know about because at the time you were away on a trip and your daughter then and now had very difficult issues that needed help, so your wife sent her to a place to get help.'' ''She did it because she felt like your daughter needed something more.'' ''I know you're probably feeling angry for what your wife did, but forgive her for she did what she felt was right to do at the time you were away on business and she was struggling too.''

Kaleb knew this well, he knew his wife had health issues and needed him more than when he wasn't there. Kaleb knows that some choices were hard to make back then but He wishes he could get the time that He had with his wife, back to say how sorry He was for what he did.

Kaleb hears God's voice again and this time God says, ''Kaleb you're forgiven and your wife knows that you struggled too, but she's in your heart just like I am in your heart too.''

He continues on his long and difficult journey in silence knowing His faith is being tested.

Kaleb has come to a small town in Colorado that he only has remembered being at with his wife. He realizes there is a police station, and whatever reason he goes to it right now. He shows the letter to the chief officer there and he says, ''Yes I've seen her but she's not here.''

He is feeling discouraged but then the officer says, ''She isn't here but if you keep traveling how you came you will find her in a different part of this town that you visited but let me warn you that when you arrive, it will be difficult but don't ever give up in God's Trust.''

Kaleb starts to feel somewhat of hope, and thanks the officer and leaves to continue on.

He comes to the different part of town where the officer said He would find his daughter. He knows his long and difficult journey was far from over because next He would have to get her back home safely. He knew that would be difficult but He wouldn't give up in God's Trust.

There was a young lady who has grown and was with two kids. Kaleb thought surely this couldn't be where His daughter was and surely that couldn't be her and her children.

He then heard God's voice, ''Be patient and be still and know that I am with you.'' ''Kaleb this is your daughter and her children.'' ''They're adopted but she got into trouble, so they were with your mother who I know you haven't heard from in so long but she misses you.''

Kaleb then calls out to his daughter, and his daughter turns and runs to her father. She starts sobbing and hugging him, and says, ''I thought you would never find me or my children.'' ''I'm sorry daddy, I didn't mean to get in with the wrong crowds in high school, and I'm sorry you didn't get a chance to know me while you were away and I'm sorry for not allowing you to have that father and daughter relationship, we could have had back then but I hope you will forgive me now, and accept me for who I've become as a person and my two children.''

He heard God speak to him, ''Kaleb you know what you need to do, but remember show love.''

Kaleb forgave her and showed compassion and love to his daughter and grandchildren. He mentions to them how it is time to return back to the cottage which will be their home.

It is a long journey, and hard road ahead but all of them travel back to the cottage and know that with God all things are possible and with Him nothing is impossible for Him. They know that God can do all things and they know that God can mend their broken hearts they have.

Kaleb and his daughter, and his grandchildren finally arrive back home to the cottage and start to pray as a family and thank God for bringing them together as they rekindle their relationships that have been lost but are found and hope to be better than ever now.

Sequel: Kaleb knew that in his long and difficult journey where His Faith got tested, brought Him closer to his daughter and His grandchildren who needed to know about God and Faith. He knew that their purpose in this world wasn't over but God was handling it all and letting them come closer together as a family and letting His daughter for the first time bring herself to be accepted into God's kingdom again by sharing her life story at her father's church.

(I wanted to write this story because it is something I know we all need right now and that's encouragement. We need to know that God is with us always and will never ever leave us. I especially wanted to write this because I know that I needed to be reminded of how much God has been blessing me with things that were going to be apart of what He wants me to do. I know that He wants me to be a light for others, and so if I can continue to do that I know I can do so many things because Philippians 4:13 says, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. I just feel like that is one of many scriptures we all need to remember.