Today I was driving to work and was in a bit of a hurry, when a school bus pops over the hill coming towards me with yellow lights flashing. Poo, I thought! I came to a halt and watched this little 10 year old girl dressed in a pink coat with a backpack as strapped to her as big as she was, exit a blue car. The little girl with feet slipping on the icy driveway took about three cautious steps until BOOM! she fell to her knees in a contorted position that only a little girl was agile enough to do. Immediately, out of the car dashed her father confidently making his way over to his fallen child and brought her to her feet. He checked to make sure she wasn't hurt and with arms wrapped around her guided her as they walked side by side the remainder of the driveway until she stepped onto the dry road and then quickly skipped onto the bus. The father was so sure of himself when coming to the aid of his little girl didn't consider the danger to himself walking on the icy driveway.
This situation was great picture of a father. I didn't have the strongest father-daughter relationship with my earthly father. He was a good man, but with my parents divorced and him living in Indiana; he wasn't involved in my daily life. So, I didn't have a father watching over me. My father passed away in 2001 very suddenly. Over the last couple of months, I have been asking God to show me what a father is supposed to be so I can look to God as my father.
Jesus says: Matt 7:11 If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. (NLT)
My earthly father typically forgot my birthday when I was growing up; I may have on occasion received a birthday card or a phone call. He never had the fiscal means to give me any type of small birthday present. As, I read Matthew 7:11, it has made it difficult to see that Father God would do much more than an earthly father, which wasn't much.
Romans 8:15 (NLT) So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God's very own children, adopted into his family --calling him "Father, dear Father." (Abba Father)
What I know about a father's role is that all that he has he gives to his children; he cares, protects, & provides for them. So, looking at Romans 8:15; I am adopted into God's family; I am HIS child and HE is my dear father. He will provide for me and take care of me, all that He has is mine. When I fall, He will make sure that I'm ok and will carry me with HIS strong arm through difficult times. I am learning to let my Father God show me what a father is and let HIM take care of me like HE desires to do.
Perhaps, you have had a rough father-daughter or father-son relationship with your earthly father. I challenge you to let your Father God show you what a true father is. It is HIS desire to give you the Kingdom, to protect, guide, instruct, rescue, & have a watchful eye on you at all times. Doesn't that make you feel safe…well that is HIS job and HE is good at it.
