On the Race, I have met a lot of people. People of different countries, backgrounds, languages, struggles and heartaches. But, if I had to describe all of them in one word, especially the people I met in Asia, it would be "fatherless". The adults in Cambodia who lost their parents to the Khmer Rouge genocide: fatherless. The sex workers in Thailand who spend their nights working in the bars: fatherless. The orphans in India whose parents gave them up when their fathers left their mothers for another woman: fatherless.
Being a daughter has always been a part of my identity. I have never known a day without a loving father, earthly and heavenly, and over the years, I've learned that this is extremely rare. Not everyone has a loving earthly father, and when I think of how my life has been blessed by mine, my heart breaks for those who don't get to experience it. But, the truth is that we all have the opportunity to experience what it feels like to be sons and daughters of a truly good Father. The best Father.
Words can't describe how blessed I am to have an earthly father who loves me furiously. I am even more blessed to experience a love that surpasses that of my earthly father's, by a LOT.
So, for those of you who don't know what it's like to be a daughter of the Most High King, let me tell you:
Being a daughter means that I am fought for, unceasingly.
Being a daughter means that I am taught, patiently
Being a daughter means that I am forgiven, endlessly.
Being a daughter means that I am sought after, relentlessly.
Being a daughter means that I am disciplined, lovingly.
Being a daughter means that I get to dance, joyfully.
Being a daughter means that I am loved, unconditionally.
So, on this Father's Day, I am especially overwhelmed. Who am I to receive this love? Who am I to be this kind of daughter? Who am I to know this kind of father?
For my heavenly father, all I can do is be thankful, and ask you to continue pouring into me, and allow me to pour into others. I ask that you will allow me to show the people around me a glimpse of what your love looks like. It's a love that overwhelms me.
And for my earthly father, all I can say is "thank you". Thank you for loving me every day of my life. You have loved me, fought for me, forgiven me, taught me, danced with me, and cried with me. If I've learned anything about fathers in my life, it's that you're a rare one. There's only one whose love for me surpasses yours, and I'm so blessed that the love that you've shown me has made that fact incredibly difficult to believe. Love, Your Little Chef.
With love from Tirana, Albania
AnnaGrace