Friday, June 19, 2015

Father's Heart



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.




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