Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that there is nothing He wouldn't do to get us back, to save us. I remember growing up with the knowledge that there was nothing my Dad wouldn't do for me. I knew that by his actions. Over and over again, he proved that he would do anything within reason to fix whatever was wrong. He had my back.
I remember a strong hand lifting my head to place a pillow under my head if I fell asleep on the floor. And stories that he would make up, and tell again and again. I remember all the camping trips.....every time we had to pick up the tent and move it, because he had found yet again, the perfect spot. I remember so much. He wanted the best for us.
Even this morning, as I started my run I heard his voice. I remember when we used to run together and one day he said, "You have a good stride." Good words are so important......Fathers should never, ever underestimate the power of words of encouragement to their kids. Those words will follow them all their lives.
Maybe what you heard from your father was much different. You heard shouting.......you heard annoyance.....you heard many things, everything but love. Maybe there was only one compliment you can ever remember him giving. And you remember it to this day.
Maybe he was never there, or you never knew him, or maybe when he was there, you wished he would leave.
Maybe he is gone and you hold sorrow in your heart because you never got the chance to say you were sorry, or give him the chance to say he was.
Even good fathers are not perfect. But I know one who is.
And today, you can celebrate a Heavenly Father who paid your ransom to get you back. Because He loves you with a perfect love. An all-consuming love......A love that would go to the ends of the earth to find you.
And He can fill that hollow in your heart, all those empty places your earthly father should have filled.
He has inscribed your name in His palm, counted the hairs on your head, called you by name. He is Super-Dad.
And today, when He thinks of you, He looks down at His own nail scars and smiles because He knows He did all He could do
Just as any good father would.
Love this… yes, fathers shouldn't forget their words have meaning… even if it is just "you have a great stride".
ReplyDeleteWe want so desperately to be appreciated by them. :)