As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. (Psalm 103:13 NIV)

Fathers play such an important role in our lives. What a difference it makes when they stand in the gap. We never show our appreciation enough. This month we want to honor all fathers and simply say a heartfelt “thank you.”

• For providing faithfully for your families.
• For all you do around the house—we respect you for it.
• For loving your children and sacrificing for them.
• For your insights and advice and a strong shoulder to cry on.

God bless you, and Happy Father’s Day!

Welcome to Comfort Cafe, an ezine and resource center offering hope, help and healing for women.

Ruth’s Blog

Comfort Cafe’s editor, Ruth Wood, brings a personal connection to the site through her blog. Her latest posts are: Job, A Grief Observed; and Random Musings See Ruth’s Blog.

Photography Blog

Deb Allen is the author of Creation Speaks—short devotionals illustrated by beautiful photos she’s taken of nature. Enjoy her latest posts at CreationSpeaks.

Coffee Shop Concert

Jonnie Briggs Lauch, a Christian inspirational singer and songwriter, performs in a fun bluegrass style. See our Coffee Shop Concert page.

Life Stories

My father was a first sergeant in the Marine Corp who served in the Vietnam War and came home with wounds and purple hearts to show for it. I was born during that time in November of 1967 and remember seeing him for the first time when I was about five years old. A Father’s Love, by Filoiann Wiedenhoff

As Father’s Day approaches, I feel led to share this story with you. These four men have all impacted my life. A Story of Four Fathers, by Sue Winchester

Articles

“Mommy, I cried like that,” she said as her big blue innocent eyes looked up at me. “I cried like that when my foster family left me in the orphanage.” No Longer Orphans, by Trudy Chun

All of us have been wounded, sometimes deeply, at various points in our lives — either when we or those we love are hurt by others. It’s amazing how fast the pain can turn into anger, and the anger into resentment and bitterness, if not dealt with. Don’t Hold Onto Your Hurts,by Sharon Hughes

Every time I bathed my darling girl I feared drowning her. Whenever we walked near our open stairwell that led to our second story apartment, I’d clutch my baby tight to my chest as I thought “What if I threw her over the railing?” Postpartum Depression, Part 2, by Angela Nazworth

I ended it. Part of me didn’t want to cut all ties to the friendship. Another part of me knew I’d been causing myself more harm than good for the past two years. Tearing My Robe and Shaving My Head, by Daphne Eilein Landers

Do you wonder if the small tasks you are doing for an aging or disabled loved one are doing any good at all? Making a Difference No Matter How Small, by April Boyer

The Healing Hearth

Lung cancer ravaged my father’s body and left a frail man afraid to cry. Daddy’s Tears, by Victoria Gaines

Miles to Go

“God, my days are so full I cannot find time to pray….the oldest doesn’t take a nap anymore and I feel I should spend individual time with him. His younger brother’s special needs take so much of their shared waking time.” Jenna’s Prayer, by Marianne Miles

Devotionals

As the sun streamed through the courthouse window a stainless steel thermos reflected its light like a mirror reflects the beauty of a woman. “I see you brought your own coffee this morning,” I said to my fellow juror before our morning session. Espresso for the Heart, A Coffee-Tea Pot, by Louise Bergmann DuMont

A narrow tributary of the McKenzie River in Northwest Oregon called Cedar Creek was the pausing point in my daily walk. Living Water, by Phyllis M. Nissila

One Sunday afternoon, my wife and I bantered back and forth about the tree that lay prone in our yard. She insisted that it was alive and that the reason for it falling over must have been a lightening strike. I countered that my inspection of the trunk showed signs that the tree was in fact dead; the real reason for its demise. The Trunk or the Blossoms—How Healthy is Your Tree?, by David Carnahan

Wherever our eyes look is usually the way we’re going to head. Crazy Drivers, by Bridget Gazlay

Looking for Writers

Our Help for the Hurting page lists all the topics we hope to address in the future. If you have a story or article that relates to one of these areas, I’d love to hear from you. Review our writer’s guidelines, then send your material to submissions@comfort-cafe.net.