Dearest Father: You Are Crystal Clear

About the Author

Ann Davis is a former public educator who has dedicated 38 years of her life to helping students grow and pursue their dreams. And although she respected her professional boundaries, her personal convictions and faith guided every step of her daily walk. Today, we find her sharing the truths found in the Word and how a relationship with Christ helped her navigate every day, especially the most difficult days. It is in her letters to our Dearest Father that she seeks answers to all the questions that are now plaguing our culture—and she believes the answers have been delivered by a divine power.

Dedication

Dearest Father,

Lifting up the families in Uvalde

And

All who have lost someone to gun violence.

Praying that every leader becomes resolute in protecting the living.

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Ann Davis 2024

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

The story, the experiences, and the words are the author’s alone.

Scripture quotations marked NLV are taken from the New Life Version, Copyright @ 1969 and 2003. Used by permission of Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683. All rights reserved.

Ordering Information

Quantity sales: Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the address below.

Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication data

Davis, Ann

Dearest Father

ISBN 9798886938401 (Paperback)

ISBN 9798886938418 (ePub e-book)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2024903467

www.austinmacauley.com/us

First Published 2024

Austin Macauley Publishers LLC

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Acknowledgment

Grateful for the contributions and messages provided by Kailee Bradstreet, Angus King, Mike Moore, and others. Any contribution in this text does not confirm nor deny an individual’s faith, religious beliefs, or worldview.

You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.

John 8:32(WEB)

Dearest Reader,

The most difficult part of life these days has been the ongoing battles between family and friends, once united on so many fronts, now unable to speak civilly to one another. Perhaps you have had a similar experience with your loved ones and have been left bewildered. The hope is that through these messages our Dearest Father shines a light on answers to your questions.

There is a desire to correct the record about stereotypes and messages that have been shared about Americans, perhaps even you. It has been hard to hear the spread of untruths, and wonder if name-calling, blaming, threatening, or isolation is eroding conversations with members of your inner circle. This story seeks to help you understand the changes in loved ones by looking to the explanations provided by our Dearest Father.

There is a great deal of benefit in the written word as each read increases both understanding and time for reflection. That is exactly the hope within these pages, a place for you to explore some truths that you have heard, or have yet to hear, and that something within you wants to know more. Our Dearest Father shares an invitation to take a look at the current culture and learn about the warnings he has shared in the Word.

While our journeys through the past few years may not have been exactly the same, surely we can agree that the days and months leading into 2023 have been filled with anguish. Praying that our Dearest Father brings you some comfort and that his messages help you find your personal truth. And although these letters do not provide a way for us to interact, perhaps the pages within will help us unite for the greater good. Hoping we can find a way to talk on the other side. With Love + Light.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Mark12:31 (WEB)

Our Dearest Father,

It seems that you have directed our focus to both the internal and external resistance that is oozing across the country. As difficult as this time is, praying you continue to keep a watchful eye on us and that you will deliver us from every battle, especially those surrounding the various nuances of reality that seek to blur the truth. Grateful that you delivered us from the 2020 pandemic, and for your divine pause that forced us to see every truth—to see all the human suffering and the horrors of undeniable afflictions that have been ignored for way too long. Now begs the question of whether the ideals of greatness and the American Dream will be reconfigured into a more inclusive reality. Only your Word will help us move beyond the political views that have ravaged, divided, and devoured our lives.

Americans have witnessed the people who claim decisions made in 2020 are a violation of their constitutional rights standing alongside those of us who believe the divine pause has been an attempt to save lives. Through these most difficult times, it is your Word that gave reason to those who have fallen prey to the deceit of the earth’s rulers. Yes, that which was recorded long ago played out in full view, and your children could see those who profess to know your name fail to denounce schemes that intercepted the truth. This plot is unfolding in the political arena as lies envelop many in the US, creating the divisions you have told us about, invading families and friends everywhere. Yes, the divide and conquer narrative is playing out quite successfully in America, perhaps with the goal of extinguishing your beacon of light.

Father, you have given us so many opportunities to hear and see the truth, but despite all that has been revealed many who have professed to know your truth have failed to survive the political battles. The world watched and waited for the outcome of historical events during and after the 2016 presidential election. Your presence was sensed as questions about 45’s integrity surfaced during the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in our election. And while we did learn that Russia interfered, the hiring of a new AG ended the investigation and tied it up with a ‘No Obstruction’ bow. Lawmakers were asked to seek your guidance during the 2019 impeachment of the 45th president, as we prayed that both oath to country and you might guide their decision-making. It seemed to be nothing more than a checkmate as members of the GOP successfully shifted the focus to avoid the facts, dragging the most honorable patriots through the mud, and attributing their loyalty to party over country.

The Republican-controlled Senate sowed doubt on the objectivity of the impeachment and the very institutions that bear your name, blaming the questions raised about presidential conduct on a biased Democrat Party. In the end, norms about foreign interference in our elections were changed when the majority of Republican Senators found no evidence of crimes or misdemeanors committed by the 45th president in his request for a favor from Ukraine in return for the military aid allocated by Congress.

You showed us a very angry 45th president going against your guidance and seeking revenge in a variety of ways for the actions of those who he viewed working against him during the trial. His ranting on national television while scrimmages behind the scenes were reported gave some Americans a glimpse of the chaos. Some employees on the White House frontline were fired, resigned, or reassigned, and yet the truth remained forbidden fruit. The resistance tried sharing their truths in opinion pieces, books and a movie, but all their efforts were met with the ideal ‘draining the swamp’ or the MAGA slogan and dismissed under the guise of the disgruntled employee. The fabric of our society, the constitution that was founded on beliefs in the blessings of liberty, the document that has guided us through tough times, appeared to have been set on fire by the 45th commander in chief.

You know about the tensions and hatred that bubbled to the surface in America as the 2020 election approached and divisions became more and more apparent. It did seem that you had seized the moment, as the voices of brothers and sisters united with Black Lives Matter protestors, waving your banner of truth across the land. And yet in spite of the horrific scenes many witnessed denying equal justice, some Americans remain blinded by party lies. Neither the witnessing of a Black man dying under the knee of a white police officer, or the shooting of a Black woman as she lay in her bed, nor violent shootouts across the country united the country. Narratives shared about a push to defund the police and the destructive actions of a far-left group identified as ANTIFA have collided with the truth. It is in these moments that we needed leadership to be guided by you and bring calm to this unrest. While some claim the 45th leader did just that, his actions suggest otherwise. His rally cries seem to breed division, heard in his messages and the calls to action he sent to some of the people. Most certainly his voice was heard when he asked for a far-right extremist group that he did not know to ‘stand back and stand by’.

Many could see what you were trying to show us when the 45th commander in chief began attacking voting by mail and confusing the electorate with conspiracy theories about immigrants voting, dead people voting, people voting multiple times—suggested by 45 as a way to check the integrity of our voting system. It seems the words of the 45th leader have been torching our democracy, fueled by his conspiracies, and fanned by big lies. There have been attempts to extinguish the flames, but without a unified effort it is like trying to put out a forest fire with a garden hose. As the blaze continues to destroy us, facts remain personalized and color-coded with promises of party favors.

Despite every attempt to discourage voting in 2020, record-breaking numbers of mail in ballots in the presidential election have been reported. Voting lines across the country seem to acknowledge Americans’ desire to protect our democracy, searching for the will of the majority, with 100 million votes cast prior to the official voting day. People risked their lives during a pandemic knowing that 231,000 souls were stolen in the days leading up to the election. It does seem that nothing or no one could deter this fight, and because you have told us, we are holding onto your words, Fear not.

Although mental exhaustion has set in from all that has bombarded our existence, the barrage of denigrating messages circulating in the news feed is failing to hide the truth about the needs of people. And while big money has been reported to be pouring into the pockets of those seeking power, securing their will rather than yours, there can be no hiding those facing economic devastation or in need of asylum. Visions of people being ravaged, trying to get to safety, struggling to feed their children, or pay their rent, are in full view as we watch neighbors waiting in long lines to get relief.

A war between the inherent goodness of humankind and desperation continues to be in play on social media sites, the battleground for feverish fights as those in the darkness seek to convince us that the 45th leader is an imperfect man guided by your divine hand. Truth has been blurred while family and friends continue to debate, argue, and curse with an unexplainable viciousness. The rally cries of those worshiping an idol is casting doubt on the reality of the virus, if wearing a mask saves lives, and the efficacy of any measure that science says will protect us—narratives from the darkness that seem designed to steal souls. Grateful for your Word that has led some of us out of the wilderness, sending us to retreat in prayer, and to lift up those who remain in the abyss consumed by lies and conspiracies.

Voices praying for your strength and guidance have been restorative, bringing communities together for the greater good. There are shreds of hope to hang onto as messages from those with different political preferences have reached out sharing that they seek to appreciate and respect differences, and more importantly remain united in this time of need. Perhaps Americans will come out on the other side better for having survived so much together, the fight of a lifetime. Faith that there are braver angels among us everywhere and believing that we will find the best version of ourselves might be enough to carry the country forward, but only time will reveal our fate. Grateful for your patience as you watch our efforts to that end. Praying for your guidance in the days ahead. With Love + Light.

Chapter One

Count Me In

Election Morning

Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 41:10 (WEB)

3 November 2020

Dearest Father,

At the first sign of light, my eyes could see that this Maine morning was boasting a change that took place while the shades were drawn. The secret could not be contained as the dawn revealed a luster on this Tuesday. Much like a child on Christmas Day, there was a similar excitement in this assessment, It snowed! The beauty of a fresh white blanket lightly scattered over the trees and across the yard seemed to say this is a new morn, and a time for change. Yes, it feels like a divine message has been sent, a reminder that change sneaks in when we least expect it, ‘in a twinkle of an eye’.

You have found me seeking your divine guidance while hoping that lessons from our past transgressions might be acknowledged within the 21st century. The election of our first black president and the possibility of a woman at the helm suggested more than just a good faith belief in equality. But the air is heavy with reminders of a night four years ago when the shattering of the glass ceiling failed, and female warriors were contained by its design. The preservation of the ceiling reflected the fear of all who listened to the whispers, She’ll steal your power. These reminders have clouded my vision of a more equitable world and my overzealous interpretation of today’s message: change is in the air.

You have most likely heard me scold myself many times since the 2016 election, knowing my behavior is like a child whose Christmas wishes have been left unfulfilled. Even though many stepped forward to explain the flaws in the most popular choice, it was not enough to make the disappointment less intense. And so, it is within a century of unfulfilled female dreams that the 45th president landed. Yes, the questionable arrival of a male born in the forties bragging about his prowess and his ability to do whatever he wanted to females has been like a golden shower on progress for me. Not alone in my disappointment, you have seen the resistance to this backward roll orchestrated by the 45th guy who does not seem to want to build a more inclusive or progressive America. Although there have been some glimmers of hope during the days following the digestion of the ‘not now pill’, time has eroded my acceptance of this president’s definition of ‘great again’.

As the luster of the morning snow melted and the day tried to return to the way it was before the ready or not moment, my thoughts traveled to the divisions in our country. You know how personalized this has become and the havoc that has played out between people in my own orbit. No amount of logical analysis seems to explain the frenzy in an America caught between centuries.

The day is giving way to an orange blaze, a flame that eventually extinguished itself before setting the stage for the night’s events. Dismissing all thoughts of the last supper as overly dramatic, grateful that you have helped me hit pause, although the knot in my stomach remains tight as the 11th hour approaches.

P.S.: As much as believing that this moment would restore goodness and kindness, watching in real time is causing great anxiety. Trying to use some logic by reminding myself that like most things, this election is beyond my control. Unfortunately, second-guessing your reassurances about a divine plan is now in play. Most likely my own control issues are overriding my faith.

Continuing to pray for your guidance navigating relationships with family and friends following the results of this election. You know my struggles about failing to find common ground even with those who share beliefs in your power. Acceptance and excuses made for a president who many define as an ‘imperfect man sent to us by a divine power’ sent me looking to scripture to correct my thinking. But the truth is, my efforts have been fruitless, finding nothing to support these statements. After searching through both the old and new testament, scripture does tell us to avoid those who seek division over unification, hate over love, and lies over truth. It has been a must to avoid using the emperor’s new clothes analogy for fear of what the heart of this man might actually reveal. Praying that if a look into the bible provides cover for this ruler in the people’s house—you will reveal it in the days ahead.

Believing in the power of prayer, surely there are enough earth angels to tilt the final tallies in favor of your people. But my last look at the red and blue electoral map weighed in on my sleep. Nausea set in after awakening to the president’s message to stop counting the votes, claiming victory, and shouting about the illegal actions of Democrats stealing the election. If the results are a tipping point for the country, fearing that some of my closest relationships will be lost. Praying for messages of truth and love that will sustain my spirit.

P.P.S.: Grateful for your response from one who knows your name, and although our K is 3000 miles away, her words brought much comfort. Her message spoke to my heart and reassured me that all hope is found in you.

The sky looked apocalyptic. The smell of smoke and flecks of ash filled the air, a precursor of the next fortnight and beyond, rendering it unfit to spend more than a few minutes outside. The timing, nothing short of inopportune, to say the least, adds to the escalating stir-fever that has long set in since March, as the nation struggles to find distance from friends, families, favorite restaurants and shops—from the normal day-to-day as we knew it. Now, into November and just as winter starts its slow march across much of the country, most of us can’t fathom more months locked away inside from an invisible enemy. But who really has the right to complain? At least we still have our safe space to retreat to, watching from our screens as millions now flee from their homes as flames lick at their heels. Sadly, this occurrence has become like clockwork in Southern California—a phenomenon Western residents could set their clocks to, an unsettling, inexcusable atrocity burning in the middle of a nation engulfed in political vitriol, racial injustice, and a pandemic fueled by misinformation and the ego-driven selfishness of those who think their ‘freedoms’ outweigh the greater good of humanity. From my home on a suburban street, in suburban America, wondering how I might make change, or even take a step forward. On the one hand, I hear hope in the voices of some family and friends—a deep-seated resolve that seemed to be emerging from our broken and battered society to keep fighting for what’s right. But here amidst the ash, the burning, and the visibly divided masses—here on my suburban street, where a neighbor proudly plastered a ‘Women for Trump’ sign in her front window and many, many families crowd together into single family houses in order to keep a roof over their children’s heads—I feel paralyzed by the sheer amount of confusion at play. I have watched in surreal disbelief as oversized cartoonish Trump flags waved from the back of pickup trucks by the dozens. I have heard friends and family say they feared what would happen if a socialist took the office of President of the United States. I thought my move across the country was to a Fairytale land—a place where the like-minded were liberated, enlightened, and united in protecting human rights. For many who grew up here, the stark reality has been the complete opposite. Just like anywhere else in the country, groups of marginalized people have been displaced, disadvantaged, and disillusioned, as the divide between the wealth-poverty lines continue to grow daily into a seemingly un-crossable chasm. I see people of every color—black, brown, white—placing hurt and blame onto other groups who may have had an advantage where they did not. An extremist view appears to have taken over some here, perhaps to cope with the economic divisions. Even the institutions that have been sacred are using God’s word to deceive, manipulate, and push a political agenda. All of this has spawned an ugly prejudice and misconstrued hatred, and now I look on numbly as these flames are doused in fuel—not only just here in my suburban neighborhood, but across our entire nation. For many years, I wondered if growing up under the shelter of a million trees, among sparsely populated streets and admittedly tucked away from the diverse experience a childhood in a big city could offer, had set me up for failure. I have internally debated whether I would be better equipped to ‘get ahead’ in this tough environment with greater exposure to this way of living in my more formative years. Might I have adopted the surreptitiously upper hand given to many who embodied that California glow and easy, relaxed attitude under which often belied a natively instilled instinct to compete and stand out from the crowd. Sometimes sad, sometimes confused, maybe I have even started to feel a little bit like some of the marginalized groups—angry at the system, angry that some people are given more opportunities than others, angry that many feel they have to be something they are not in order to be successful.

But it has become very clear that I, along with many in our country, have been living in a bubble, unable to recognize our own daily privileges. It has taken one corrupt police officer to burst that bubble when he knelt on another man’s neck for 9 minutes. In the quest for the American dream, I—like many have turned a blind eye to the daily hatred and prejudice that is still fueling a stark divide in our country. It is hard to fathom; that so many are at odds with this reality, that they are choosing denial. I recognize, now, that what I had previously cursed—a quiet, humble, hardworking, middle-class upbringing in a rural town that ‘sheltered’ me from these realities—is a big part of what did shape me. You and Dad played a role in that process, particularly you Mom who taught me to never, ever, ever give up on what I believed in and to always find another way to make my dream (no matter how big or small) a reality. As I think of you and Dad now, in the quiet solitude of the Maine home, apparent are the values you instilled in me—honesty, modesty, hard work, thinking for myself, doing what’s best for human kind, and most importantly—to have faith. You have modeled a real working class family, with very little frills, working hard for the practical stuff and very rarely losing heart in what could be. Some might call this idealistic. I call it a true blessing. In these moments, as the nation anxiously looks on and holds its breath on this Election Eve, I feel an overwhelming amount of appreciation and gratitude for this piece of who I am.

Knowing that despite the mental exhaustion from sifting out truths from the compounding false and deceptive narratives being broadcast everywhere we look, it would be the kindness, the perseverance, and the faith of those who were fighting for our country underneath this fast-moving current that will be the only path forward. I’ve read your messages to our Dearest Father several times, and still am unsure of exactly where to begin. You say that you hope to find comfort and affirmation in his words, but I have to admit to feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted from all the distractions. It’s cold here—well, colder than usual. As I write, a bone-chilling breeze gusts through the open windows. It’s a nice change, to be honest—a very obvious shift, like we’ve turned the page on the scorching heat that brought millions of dry acres to their knees just weeks ago. In that same manner, I hope the maddening rhetoric can be squelched with truth and true revolution. The daily barrage of freeways, road rage, and invasive political calls-to-action have, for the most part, escaped me since March. As I work remotely from my nook, eerily quiet besides the ping of emails and the onslaught of Zoom calls that shake me out of introspection, there is appreciation for the solitude. But there are still no ‘safe’ places to hide from the influx of information that does have a feverish, relentless attack on our psyches. The form it takes—whether cable news, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, with no regard for you or preserving your sanity; all seem to seek to break you down as the crush for more continues on. My advice to you is to do exactly what you did. Turn off the television, get into your cozy bed, and rest your mind—for at least 8 hours; frankly, we may all need more than this if the fraught landscape persists. I am envious of you. It’s still early here, and I am still awake, refreshing the electoral college maps and reading the 280-character analyses and commentary from across the nation. Last night I dreamed that I was watching a triumphant acceptance speech from a new leader. The words rang in my mind, and when I awoke, I could still hear them as clear as day. I’m reluctant in sharing this with you, or anyone for that matter, for fear that saying the words aloud will jinx this foreseeable prediction from the ethers. But already on this evening, as many states scurry to count ballots by the thousands and the slow trickle of critical information wrapped in fortified envelopes drips in, I feel that we are on the precipice of something monumental. Like you, I find myself looking to what the greatest spiritual minds in history have said. Just as the Bible tells us to ‘Love thy neighbor as yourself’, Gandhi said, An eye for an eye only ends up making the world blind. The great Buddha said, One who acts on truth is happy in this world and beyond. And finally, in the words of Martin Luther King Jr., "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only