Waiting Princess,
I do love your forum name!
I'll share the little that I know on this because I'm in a very similar crisis.
Half of my life has consisted of taking care of my fathers [long story] and even then, I had little time with them. I face the same problem, only at my age, it's manifested in the desire for my future-husband. I explain this because you will-or have already begun to-encounter the temptation to look to men your own age to fill this need, as you outgrow the desire to be cared for and nurtured by a male role model, and form the desire to give to and serve and care for a spouse. That is to say, if marriage is what God has called you to eventually. I just hope you always realize that romantic relationships-even into your 20s-are not necessary until the appointed time and man. Male friends as brothers in the Lord are so much better, and a lot less trouble!
The fact of the matter is God provides and He won't allow more than we can bare. Sometimes, that is SO HARD to say, even for myself, but it is the Truth, and we hold to the Truth in all times! So knowing that, ask Him-and believe Him-to fill this need. You don't have to search frantically, you don't need to feel it is all up to you, but trust your Creator, who made you and included those needs. If He leads you to step out in faith, by all means LEAP, but in the meantime, stand firm in His promises and seek Him WHOLEheartedly until the Lord provides the mentor and father-figure you need. Should you feel He's let you down, realize what He doesn't give us, we don't need. In creating us as social beings, He will provide abundant fellowship and community in believers as we pursue Him persistently on it. Find out His will for you and know that His ways are so much better than we can see in our small sight and in what is sometimes a cloud of grief. Ask what you can learn from this time without a father, ask that He use it in your testimony and to serve others, and whatever comes or doesn't, know that He
does not fail. Forcing ourselves to thank Him for what we don't understand helps us imagine this as a speck in the grand design. I say all this as one who, only yesterday, did all these things in the midst of brokenhearted sobbing. So it isn't a reach of the imagination, by Him all things are possible. My heart goes out to you, love, so much! This pain is so near to me also! Yet we persist in pursuing Him, knowing that He will fill the need or replace it. By faith, it is accomplished. He will see us through to the other side of His purpose and no tear will be in vain! No loneliness will go uncomforted as we look to Him, believing He only wants what is good for us.
As always, take as large a portion of your day as possible to pursue Him in two-way prayer and Scripture readings. You will be on my thoughts and in my prayers! Don't hesitate to write me if you want. My inbox is always open.
With Much Love,
April
