See more: Save A Lot Plant City Fl 33563, Save A Lot Warehouse I had the privilege of being one of the two people he relied on most when he struggled with excruciating physical, emotional, and spiritual pain. God took away the hardness in my heart so I could be there for and with my dad as the rare illness he had been diagnosed with stole his ability to work and volunteer, robbed him of his football player physique, and eventually led to him becoming very dependent on others. I know I was given an amazing gift that God led me to reconnect with my father, really love him and let myself be loved by him during the last three years of his life. I could never have imagined the healing that would take place for both of us over such a short time. ThereвЂ™s no explanation other than GodвЂ™s grace that led me to reach out to my dad and really let him into my life.

After many years of pushing my dad out of my life and at some points wanting absolutely nothing to do with him, I had a true reconciliation with the man who gave me the deepest scars I have. My method of self-preservation was to distance myself from him emotionally and, whenever I could manage it, physically as well. I tried to say something about DadвЂќs excessive drinking (later confirmed to be alcoholism), unpredictable behavior, and anger, but no one would listen at first. I had the heavy burden of seeing some serious red flags before others were ready or willing to see them. I hardened my heart and my mind against my dad in order to make it through some very difficult times in our family. For all of those reasons and then some, I couldnвЂќt ever see having any sort of real relationship with my father. I spent years convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that I was a bad person who would never be enough in his eyes or anyone elseвЂ™s. When I was young, I just accepted it when he told me I was worthless or not measuring up. ItвЂ™s only been as an adult that IвЂ™ve come to realize that my fatherвЂ™s own feelings of inadequacy, his alcoholic and workaholic tendencies, and undiagnosed/untreated depression were the primary sources of the disapproval that he expressed. I learned at a very young age that no matter what I did, it would never be enough. IвЂќd already internalized the harsh inner critic and negative self-image. My mom and sisters still had contact with him, and we were all together on holidays, but I refused to forgive and forget all the hurtful things he had said and done.

I did pretty much everything I could to keep him out of my life. He gave me some of the deepest scars I have, and for years I was dead-set against letting him back into my heart. The greatest example of mercy IвЂќve ever experienced within the context of a human relationship was reconciling with my father. I encourage you to listen to the beautiful song by Francesca Battistelli that inspired this blog post:ДЄround FatherвЂќs Day, I tend to think about how important honesty is and how love really can heal the pain that causes separation. Oftentimes, we are hurt by others, and we let that hurt get in the way of letting others love us, or at least I do. Acknowledging that we are all broken, in need of GodвЂќs healing love, and want people with whom we can be really transparent says so much. There are so many reasons why this songвЂќs lyrics speak to where I am right now. You are watching: Bring your brokenness and i ll bring mine Bring Your Brokenness And IвЂќll Bring Mine: A Reflection on Mercy, Reconciling with My Father, and If WeвЂќre Honest by Francesca Battistelli

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