How was your relationship with your Father?
Did he take you on fishing or camping trips?
Was he there when you learned to ride a bike?
Did he let you know you were special to him?
Was he there to protect you when you were scared?
If you answered no to any or all of these questions, I can probably bet that you have some trouble connecting with God as Father. You may know Jesus as Savior and Friend, but cannot see him as your Daddy.
Well, he wants to be. He loves you so much. He has always been there, even if you couldn’t see it. He is such a gentleman that he lets you make your own choices, even if they hurt him.
I understand that everyone has their own circumstances. I may not understand what you have been through. I have heard the stories. I know that there can be deep wounds and hurt. I am not one of those people, but my heart aches for them. I desire for each and every person to be able to have a Father as amazing as mine was.
Our heavenly Father is actually better than our earthly fathers. He will never change. No matter what we may do or say he stays the same. We cannot push Him away.
"For I the LORD do not change;" Malachi 3:6a
It may be difficult, but I want you to begin thinking of God as the loving, doting, caring Daddy you may not have had.I have some suggestions that might help. I tried these and it has enriched my relationship with Him.
-Ask Him for things that may seem childish or ridiculous.
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
James 1:17
-Make Him a drawing and put it on the fridge.
"Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." Mathew 19:14
-Say hello to Him whenever you walk in the door, anywhere.
"The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." Psalm 145:18
-Dance with him when you worship.
"Let them praise His name in the dance: let them sing praises to him with the tambourine and harp." Psalm 149:3
-Sing to Him as you get ready for bed.
"Worship God in joy; come into His presence in song." Psalm 100:2
-Ask Him to tell you a bedtime story and let Him wander your mind as you drift off to sleep.
"Call to me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." Jeremiah 33:3
and the kicker.
-Call him Daddy, Abba or Papa, or Pop. Whatever feels intimate and loving.
"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry 'Abba! Father!'" Romans 8:15
These will seem awkward and silly at times, but trust me. You will begin to see a difference. Daddy will begin to reveal to you just how much He really loves and adores you. You will see Him in new ways that you never imagined. And most importantly, He will begin to heal you and restore you to Him.
Go ahead, give it a try. You ARE a BELOVED CHILD.
