It's Father's Day tomorrow. And I am REALLY blessed to have one of the world's best dads. If you asked me what makes my Dad so great, I couldn't give just one answer. I couldn't sum up 29 years of love in one charmingly funny, yet poignantly beautiful story. There are a zillion moments that make up our lives together.
He drives me to the airport at ungodly hours--even when I don't ask him to, can drive myself and pay for parking. He tells me, "I'm really proud of you" in just-because moments that coincidentally, are the precise moments when I need to hear it. He loves my Mom. He has always been there for my sisters and me--at our school plays, awards ceremonies, basketball games and spelling bees. He made me go to church every week...even when I didn't feel like it. He likes to do random acts of kindness...like buying dinner for a soldier and his family at the Olive Garden or paying for Starbucks drinks for the car behind him in the drive-thru. He makes me laugh.
While I've been blessed to have a good Dad, I realize that many people don't have that same opportunity. My Dad himself only had a dad for 7 years of his life...his dad died unexpectedly when my Dad was still just a little boy. I also realize that there are people whose fathers are not deceased or absent, but who are cruel or even abusive.
However, the Bible depicts God as a Father...and for those who haven't had a good relationship with a human dad, picturing God as a Father may be a pretty tough concept to grasp.
Today's passage included a wonderful message from God, illustrating His amazing fatherly characteristics. Take a look:
"Don't be afraid,
I've redeemed you.
I've called your name.
You're mine.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.
When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end—
Because I am God,
your personal God,
The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you..."
Awesome, right? God is a Father who is stable, faithful and strong. He is personal enough to call you His. He paid a significant price to adopt you and I as His own. He has loved us before time itself even existed and will love us unconditionally no matter what. That's the kind of Father He is.
