Why Number Seven is Important by Lisa Burkhardt Worley

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

 Have you ever put off something you knew you were called to do?

Because I was  a fatherless child, I desired to write a book to help people overcome father wounds. I wanted them to understand that God is their Father when their own father dies prematurely, like mine did, and that their heavenly Father also wants to be their dad when an earthly father lets them down.

I started this book over twenty years ago but couldn’t get it finished. Other books jumped in front. A devotional. A book about women’s insecurity. Two Children’s books. Book projects at work. So it wasn’t about being undisciplined. It was more about God’s timing. It wasn’t time yet.

I believe my heavenly Father knew my life needed more flavor.

Writing seasoning.

Life seasoning.

And he wanted me to have a clearer understanding of who He is so I could better capture his Fatherly attributes on paper.

Then in May of this year I felt an urgency to finish the book. The Holy Spirit was saying, “It’s time.” He placed fatherless people in front of me who desired to tell their stories. Then he said, “I want you to take a seat as I show you how to put this book together.” So for several months I took dictation whenever I could carve out a couple of hours. I felt like my Father in Heaven played back old home movies and narrated them as they flashed before me.

“Remember this day, Lisa? I was there.”

“Your sportscasting career. I’m the one who led you into it and at one point, I’m the one who took it away.”

“When you were down, I picked you up with a special song that I played just for you.”

I typed as fast as I could as he wove a story together that only He could tell.

And then it was completed and dedicated to: The Only Father I Ever Knew. What gathered dust for twenty years was completed in about three months.

As I thought about the order of my books, I realized this is Number Seven and it was completed in 2017. Of course. Seven is God’s perfect number. After creation, He rested on the seventh day. Weeks are divided into seven days. There are seven branches on the menorah, a fixture in Jewish homes today, but originated in the ancient tabernacle. In end times there will be seven trumpets, seven seals and seven churches. You get the picture. Seven is a special number to God.

So I don’t know where God will take The Only Father I Ever Knew but I am praying it will be used to encouraged all those who have father wounds. What I do know is it is time and I am overjoyed that it’s finished.

I write this post today not to bring glory to myself but to glorify God and encourage you. If it seems like something has taken a long time coming, do not be dismayed or discouraged. God’s timing is perfect. It may take twenty years but don’t ever give up. Hold onto the dream. Keep praying for it to come to pass and when it’s time, it will happen quickly.

“I am the LORD; in its time I will do this swiftly” (Isaiah 60:22).