GUEST POST Written By Amber Rivard

When I was a little girl, my father and my mother split up. I lived in Cambridge with my mother, and my father lived in Hamilton.

During the ages of 2-11, I rarely ever got to see my father. He always came up with excuses why he couldn’t see me, and when I did get to see him the visits weren’t memorable.

When I turned 10, my mother met a man online and they married. Shortly after, he relocated us to the States. Life was very difficult. My stepdad abused me emotionally and physically.

I remember thinking, “I’ll never have a daddy to love me.”

During my high school years and into my early 20’s I did my best to win approval from guys. I would do my best to keep men feeling sorry for me because I so desperately needed their love, so I thought.

Eventually, I would become emotionally attached. Every time that I thought I had a chance with a man, they would end up leaving me. Once, I was so strongly attached to a man, and I invested so much into him, (as he did me as well), that I thought for sure he was “the one”. However, he also walked out of my life.

I was so upset with God. I screamed at Him, I cried myself to sleep many nights, I hated life. I was so angry that I was ready to turn my back on God. Yet, even in the midst of my anger, I forced myself to go to church and keep pursuing a relationship with God.

Then one day, the Holy Spirit showed me a Scripture

Psalm 27:10
“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close.”

He then gave me revelation about this Scripture. I needed to let Him become my Father. Instead of running after men to fill the emptiness that I had, God wanted to fill me with Him.

I started meditating on Scriptures about His unfailing love. I read about His desire for me, how He has good things planned for me and that He is my strength. I also discovered that He will never forsake me.

Each new Scripture drew me closer to grasping His amazing love for me.

Now when I face trials, I know I can trust Him, and talk to Him. I know that He will love me, encourage me, strengthen me, and lead me. When I feel abandoned, I know that I am not alone. He holds me close.

Amber Rivard

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