From a Dad’s Limited Arms to Our Father’s Perfect Hands

As a dad, when my children rely on me and believe I can do anything for them, it puts tremendous pressure on me to perform. Their trust inspires me to step up in every way possible.

When Jessica believed I knew best for her health, I poured myself into learning everything I could, from researching treatments, making her special foods and smoothies, to doing all I could to help her heal. I never wanted to fail her. But my ability and power were so limited. In the end, I couldn’t save her from cancer or death.

Our Heavenly Father, though, is all-powerful and all-knowing. There is nothing He cannot do. Sometimes, in His perfect wisdom, He chooses to take a beautiful soul like Jessica home to be with Him. But when we rely on Him in faith, truly believing He will deliver, He does, in His timing and way.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

— Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Jessica exemplified this perfect faith so beautifully. Even in tremendous pain, she never expressed fear of death. She never blamed anyone for her cancer. She always trusted that mom, dad, siblings had her back. We encouraged her to keep the faith, and she did unwaveringly. At some point, she may have realized she was going home to Jesus. Yet she never uttered a word of doubt.

Throughout her life, she believed in me completely. So many times I’d come up with wild ideas, and she was always the first to cheer, “Dad, you can do it”, never a hint of doubt. She was my biggest cheerleader.

As her dad, I was so proud of that faith in me. I’d have done anything for her. In the end, she placed her complete trust in Someone far greater than I: Jesus. When she asked Jane and I if we’d be okay with her going back to Him, her words were filled with encouragement, love, and astonishing faith.

Her Chinese name means a meek and mild spirit—patient, kind, gentle, and loving. Jessica truly lived that out every day, echoing the heart of Jesus Himself:

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

— Matthew 11:29 (ESV)

But her faith didn’t just come from a meaningful name. As her parents, we intentionally sowed seeds of trust from the moment she was born. Before she knew Jesus, Jane and I were there for her and for all our children. If they tried to jump off the stairs as toddlers, we caught them. One of our kids loved climbing up windowsills, even the blinds if they could hold him up. We tried to always be there to catch him when he fell.

Though, I am not perfect. Looking back, I was sometimes a little too tough as a dad. I let them roll down a small hill on a bike to learn balance. It is not something I’d recommend. But the point was to let them explore while being ready to catch them if they failed. And they did fail sometimes and we were there. Our Heavenly Father is exactly the same with one profound difference: He never fails.

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

— Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.”

— Deuteronomy 7:9 (ESV)

Jesus invites us to this kind of childlike trust: simple, dependent, and complete:

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

— Matthew 18:3 (ESV)

“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

— Mark 10:15 (ESV)

And just as we catch our children, our Father catches us: providing good gifts, carrying us like a father carries his son (see Deuteronomy 1:31; Matthew 7:11). He never fails us.