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Hey everybody. Some background first. My dad and I have never been very close. When I was growing up he worked for the railroad so he was only home for 2 days a week, sometimes none. When I was 12 my parents got divorced, and because of our lack of a relationship me and him never talked about it. In the years since my mother and I moved out I've only seen him once or twice a year. Sometimes we go more than a year before seeing or talking to each other. It's not that we don't want to see each other, but we're both the type of person who won't pick up the phone. When we do get together we play catch-up for about 10 minutes, then just watch TV.
I didn't find out until a few years ago when I was struggling with depression that he's been struggling with it his whole life. Looking back now it's obvious, but I never saw it before. His father died before I was born, when my dad was in his 20s. His step father died when I was around 10, he got divorced as I said when I was 12. While my parents were together we always had money trouble, and I'm sure it's not much better now. He's struggled with diabetes for as long as I can remember, and because of it he has lost a few toes. A year ago his mother died after a long battle with failing kidneys, and 6 months ago he found out that his kidneys were failing too. He's on the donor waiting list and he has dialysis three times a week. He was raised Christian, and he looks forward to seeing his mother again some day, but I don't think he's held any love for God since his father died 30 some years ago.
My fiance and I are getting married Jan 02, a Saturday, one of the days he has dialysis. Because I don't keep in contact with him I just found out today from my mom. He is not in good shape physically, and he sometimes makes morbid jokes about how he's glad he doesn't own a gun, but he also says he hopes he lives to see his first grandchild.
My prayer request today is for my dad. Although I've never had a strong relationship with him, I still love him so so much, and I would rather cancel my wedding than have it on a day when he can't be there. I ask that you pray for healing for him - physically, mentally and spiritually. He needs God's warmth in his life so much right now. Also please pray for me. I feel so guilty for not trying harder to cultivate a relationship with him, for not trying harder to share the love of God with him. I need strength to do these things now before it's too late.
I didn't find out until a few years ago when I was struggling with depression that he's been struggling with it his whole life. Looking back now it's obvious, but I never saw it before. His father died before I was born, when my dad was in his 20s. His step father died when I was around 10, he got divorced as I said when I was 12. While my parents were together we always had money trouble, and I'm sure it's not much better now. He's struggled with diabetes for as long as I can remember, and because of it he has lost a few toes. A year ago his mother died after a long battle with failing kidneys, and 6 months ago he found out that his kidneys were failing too. He's on the donor waiting list and he has dialysis three times a week. He was raised Christian, and he looks forward to seeing his mother again some day, but I don't think he's held any love for God since his father died 30 some years ago.
My fiance and I are getting married Jan 02, a Saturday, one of the days he has dialysis. Because I don't keep in contact with him I just found out today from my mom. He is not in good shape physically, and he sometimes makes morbid jokes about how he's glad he doesn't own a gun, but he also says he hopes he lives to see his first grandchild.
My prayer request today is for my dad. Although I've never had a strong relationship with him, I still love him so so much, and I would rather cancel my wedding than have it on a day when he can't be there. I ask that you pray for healing for him - physically, mentally and spiritually. He needs God's warmth in his life so much right now. Also please pray for me. I feel so guilty for not trying harder to cultivate a relationship with him, for not trying harder to share the love of God with him. I need strength to do these things now before it's too late.