One of the most precious things I love to observe is the
love between a Father and his young daughter. There’s nothing sweeter than when
a little girl looks up to her daddy with sparkling eyes and is grinning from
ear to ear. Her smile lights up the room. Not a care in the world because her
daddy loves her. She twirls, sings, laughs, cries and makes mistakes all in the
comfort that her daddy is there. She is His. And she knows it. Not because it’s
been explained to her, but because it’s been demonstrated. Time after time.
Moments upon moments. It all adds up. Love adds up.
During the school year, I love especially when Dads drop off
their little 3-5 year old princess in the morning. I’ve witnessed beautiful
embraces, little giggles, kisses, squeezes and sweet goodbyes. Dads are down
at their daughter’s level, looking at them in the eyes. When I see the
greatness come out of that loved daughter during the school day, it all points
back to what’s been poured into her. Unconditional love. Unending support.
Truth-filled-hope-filled words. Guidance. Promises made. Promises kept.
Protection. Grace. Here is a little girl walking around confident in who she
is, dreaming big, accepting and loving others and not searching for attention. Not
searching for attention because she already has all the attention she needs. And
she knows and lives this now. At an early age she is growing from such a
foundation. There are a few little boys and girls I’m thinking of right now
that fit this description perfectly. It is seriously a beautiful thing to watch.
God has been keeping this picture in the front of my mind
over the last few months. What does it mean to truly believe and walk as a
child of the King. If earthly Fathers (who aren’t perfect) can give good gifts
to their children, how much more will our Father who is in heaven give good
things to those who ask him? Matt. 7:11. It’s mind blowing. It’s making me pray
differently. Boldly. It’s making me think differently. Truthfully. It’s making
me act differently. Intentionally. Am I walking in total trust in Him and that
He knows best? Am I looking up into His eyes and believing that my soul is well
because my Father is for me? His ways are good. His ways are perfect.
Child-like faith. That’s all it takes. Walking in God’s love. It doesn’t require
explanation. Instead it is about allowing my Father’s demonstration of love to wash
over every part of me. There is nothing I’m missing out on because I’m found in
Him. That’s where I want to be. Swept up in His strong arms. Protected in His
perfect embrace. Kissed by His grace and love notes to me. And ears opened to
His sweet truths and promises to me. That’s really all. When life doesn’t make
sense, His love covers. When the world is dark and cold, His love covers. When
fear and lies creep in, His love covers. When mountain-top experiences happen,
His love covers. When favor and promotions happen, His love covers.
We are sons and daughters of the King of Kings. He
intimately pursues and lavishes love on His children. Unrelenting love. We are
free to live in His love because He paid the price to make us His own. Free
gift to absolutely everyone. We cannot outrun or outdo His love for us. His
love cannot and will not fail us. Ever. “Therefore, be imitators of God, as
dearly loved children.” Eph. 5:1
I stumbled upon this a couple days ago in the book “Crazy
Love” by Francis Chan. I just picked this book up on a whim. (I just love when
God reiterates a point over and over again in a variety of ways.) Here’s
something that jumped out to me. “Our love for Him always comes out of His love
for us. Do you love this God who is everything, or do you just love everything
He gives you? Do you really know and believe that God loves you, individually
and personally and intimately? Do you see and know Him as Abba, Father?”
This is my prayer. That we walk in our true identity as
children of God and assurance of God’s love for us as He draws us more to
Himself. To know and be known by Him. To love and be loved by Him. That’s what
matters.
Over the last couple months as God has been wrecking my
heart of this truth, I was encouraged by two friends and their life adventures
with the Lord. Both of these stories painted such a beautiful story of our heavenly
Father’s love for us.
I’ve had the privilege to get to know a beautiful servant of
the Lord, Maria Lee. Our friendship is long distance, but I’m always encouraged
and inspired by her courageous love for the Lord and compassion towards
others. Back in May she posted this
picture while she was in Colorado.
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This picture and story is so wild and captivating!! Maria
took a picture of her friend and his daughter climbing a mountain. This
daughter is three years old. I don’t know the whole story, but the picture
speaks a thousand words. This picture has been etched in my mind ever since
seeing it. “You can do it, Baby!” Those are the words of her father. Maria’s
perspective was “As long as we hold onto Papa God in this adventure, we will
always overcome and we will be always secure.”
The daughter’s words after her first climbing experience- “I
need another mountain!” Wow. Just wow.
We can be that bold with our Father. Risk-takers finding
security in our Father. Whatever we face, our Father is bigger still. Stronger
still. Faithful still.
His love compares to NOTHING.
The other story I stumbled upon was written by another long
distance friend about her husband and daughter. I met Dara Vanden Bosch in
Mozambique, Africa three years ago. She was one of the first ones that
introduced me to Eucharisteo living. :) At the time, Dara wasn’t married, but there
she was loving the daughter she had adopted. Now three years later she is
writing about her little family and the man her daughter now calls “Daddy”. It
is truly a beautiful story. Check out her entry called “She loves her daddy”.
You will be touched and moved once again in the truth that we are always safe
and loved by our Father.
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Dara's Blog:
When we face mountains, we are not alone. When waves are crashing over us, we are not alone. In all times He is for us.
So no matter what kind of relationship you have with your
earthly Father, our heavenly Father stands with open arms for you. He is
perfect. He wants you as you are. His child. We have nothing to offer Him, but
He offers us everything. Everything we need is in Him. Beautiful mystery. Grace
upon grace. Undeserved favor.
Dance like He’s watching. Love like He’s watching. Hope like
He’s watching. Live like He’s watching. Trust like He’s watching. He’s watching
and nothing else matters. We are His and He knows how to take care of us.
In Him,
Regina
To my Dad. My first impression of God is rooted from what I
saw and felt from you since I was little. You bear His image of selflessness,
patience and loyal love. You are seriously a gift. Thank you for all the ways
you love me. I appreciate how you care down to the smallest of details. That makes me feel so loved. You will always be my hero.
