06/21/2026
"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love... He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him."
— Psalm 103:8, 10-11 (NIV)
Principle 8: Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words.
For many of us in recovery, Father’s Day can carry a heavy shadow. It can trigger memories of earthly fathers who were absent, abusive, or battling their own hurts, hang-ups, and habits. Alternatively, if we are fathers ourselves, today might bring up waves of guilt, regret, or shame over the years our struggles stole from our children.
But the miracle of Celebrate Recovery is that shame does not get the final say.
Earthly fathers are imperfect mirrors. When that mirror is cracked by addiction or codependency, our view of God gets distorted. We might view God the Father as an angry judge waiting for us to fail, or an absent figure who doesn’t care about our pain.
Psalm 103 shatters that distortion. It reminds us that our true Heavenly Father is abounding in love. He doesn’t treat us as our past mistakes deserve. When we stepped into the light of recovery, He didn't meet us with a lecture; He met us with open arms, just like the father of the Prodigal Son.
If you are a father in recovery today, remember this: Your kids don’t need a perfect dad; they need a recovering dad who is choosing honesty over denial. By working your steps, attending your open share groups, and leaning on your sponsor, you are actively breaking generational chains. You are showing your children what it looks like to fall down, but more importantly, how a man of God stands back up through grace.
To the CR dads who are doing the hard work: your presence matters, your transparency is a gift, and your recovery is a living testimony.
If you are hurting today because of a broken relationship with your own earthly father, let God parent your heart. Let Him fill the gaps. Your identity is no longer defined by the dysfunction of your past, but by the devotion of your Heavenly Father.
Release the Debt: Write down any resentments you hold against your earthly father or yourself regarding fatherhood. Bring them to God in prayer and consciously hand them over to Step 3 care.
Amends in Action: If you are a father, remember that living in active recovery is the greatest living amends you can offer your children. Keep showing up, one day at a time.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being the perfect definition of love, patience, and grace. We ask for Your healing touch today on every heart that feels broken, inadequate, or heavy. We specifically lift up our Celebrate Recovery dads today—bless them, encourage them, and give them a deep sense of peace. For the men who are fighting to be the fathers You called them to be, give them strength, humility, and courage. Help us all to rest in Your unconditional love today. In Jesus' name, Amen.
