Galatians 4:6. “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit Who calls out ‘Abba, Father.’”
How blessed I have been to have had a good father who loved me and took good care of me! Not perfect of course, as no human father can be, but I knew that he loved me and would be there for me whenever I needed help. Three specific memories of my Dad come to mind that have helped me to grow in confidence in my relationship with God the Father. I’ll begin with one that reminds me of God’s guidance through the journey of life ~
When I reached 16 and began having some travel adventures on my own, Dad took care to offer very specific and detailed directions for any up-coming trip. They always included plan B, and plan C, in the event of unexpected complications that might affect the original route. I remember one in particular when I was to make my first solo plane trip. The directions were lengthy, taking several pages, and included so many possible alternatives in case things went awry! The best, however, came at the end of the epistle, when Dad left his phone number with the assurance that a call home at any time of the day or night would be received and help would be provided.
Growing in my relationship and subsequent dependence on God the Father’s care and provision for me, I came to recognize His Word as those detailed instructions for navigation, always with the reminder that He is on call, 24/7, ready at every moment to hear and respond to my call for Help!My GPS may fail with mis-guided directions or internet disruption, but that turning to God always gets me back on the right track! In remembering my Dad’s written directions, they’re saturated with his care and concern for my safety and well being; God’s directions come from the heart of the very best Father’s love for His daughter.
Abundant generosity is the second attribute that comes to mind as I remember an almost comical shopping adventure with my mom and sis-in-law. We would have a fun shopping day together once or twice a year, and mom would often treat us to some special item that caught our eye.
This particular trip was at a time when Dad had been gradually moving into the fog of Alzheimer’s memory loss. He had always enjoyed giving gifts, and he would give my mom a special extra dollar amount beyond the usual budget for her shopping excursions. On this occasion, mom was in a particularly happy mood, almost giddy, and was encouraging my sister-in-law and me to buy this and to buy that, and she would cheerfully pick up the tab for all of it. The strain of caring for my Dad in these days was tremendously difficult, and we attributed her delight as a combination of relief at a day off from care-giving and the pain of slowly losing the one she loved to this disease. We had a wonderful day together, our shopping bags loaded with goodies, and at the end of the day mom could no longer keep her secret: Dad had put an extra $10,000 dollars into her checking account! This was in the 1950’s and that was a small fortune for us! We certainly didn’t spend it all, but it brought laughter and smiles at a time when that was so much needed for all of us.
God the Father’s generosity is above and beyond all that we could ever ask for or imagine. (Eph 3:20) Whenever I come across that verse, the shopping trip comes to mind, and with it the joy it gave my own Dad to give an extravagant gift (although he probably didn’t realize how extravagant it was!). It also warms my heart at the memory of the three of us, savoring a moment of closeness and merriment in the midst of a very difficult time of passage. Gods’ own generosity can never be outdone, He truly delights in showering His children with abundant gifts and surprises!
The third memory came just today, with a text from my daughter. I had asked her to check a cabinet in my bedroom to look for something, and she spied a note from my Dad that I had tucked on the shelf. It read, “My Darling, you are 16. I love you. Dad.” I had re-discovered that note among my memorabilia at a time when my relationship with God the Father was being deepened, and it so resonated with me that I kept it in a place where I saw it often. Zeph 3:17 states that God delights in me, and rejoices over me with singing! As the youngest of 4 children, with 3 older brothers, I was my Daddy’s Darling, and it has helped me to know the deeper love that God the Father has for me.
Father God, thank You for blessing me with my own good father, who helped to lead me to the knowledge of Your own Goodness and Love for me. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual Light shine upon him. May the soul of my Dad, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace…
Spiritual Sun Pennies 