A Father's Love

I was watching my kids today as they were playing one second and then arguing the next. It struck me how they could be so great with each other one minute and so horrible to one another the next. After the arguing, they both make a run for me, presenting their side of the case, accusing one another and then the separation; each storming off to their respective rooms.

Isn't that just how life is? I thought, this must be how God sees us, one minute we are good and smooth sailing. Next thing you know we are off, hurting others and doing things we know we shouldn't do. Then satan goes running to God, accusing us. Next step, you guessed it, the separation...that distance we place between us and God. The long pause of communion, because of our guilt and shame we receive on account of our sin. Thankfully, we have one that covers our sin and removes our guilt and shame and the distance is brought short with repentance and forgiveness. Christ is good!

Have you ever watched a child as they color or draw? When they are young they continuously scribble three lines, lift up the paper and ask, "Daddy, how does this look?" Seeking your acceptance, longing for your attention and approval of what they are doing. Or how about when they are sleeping...have you ever just watched a child sleep? Or have you ever watched a parent, watching their child sleep? There is an unexplainable joy in watching your child simply sleep. Wondering what is going on in their little minds. What are they dreaming about? Man, there is an absolute flood of thoughts and excitement going through the mind of the parent. And isn't it amazing that there can be so much activity one minute and such a sweet rest the next?
I truly believe that is how God looks at us...with excitement! He looks at us with such anticipation and adoration...watching us sleep and then, waiting by our side the very second we wake. I picture God, just waiting for us to rise with a big ol' smile on His face. He knows what is in store for us and I believe that He wants to shout to us and say, "Do you know what I have for you today? Ask me, talk to me, tell me what you desire!" There has to be so much anticipation on God's part to want to hear from us. To hear, "Hello God, I love you!" Or even a simple, "Good morning God."

What would you do if your child got up from bed, got ready for school, walked right passed you, totally ignoring you, ate their breakfast (that you prepared), got their shoes on (that you bought) and left for the day? Came home after school, ate dinner (that you took the time to make), talked to all their friends on the phone (that you pay for) from 3:30 to 8:59, took a shower, got dressed (in the clothes that you provided for them) and went to sleep (on the new bed you just bought them, instead of getting one for yourself)? After they got into bed, they yell out to you, "Don't forget I have to go to soccer at 4:00 tomorrow and I can't be late and oh yeah, I need more lunch money! Nite!"

Of course, we would never allow this to happen. We wouldn't allow our children to pass through their day without speaking with them, sharing their day, being concerned about their struggles and enjoying their happiness. Yet, we do this to God, don't we? I am not saying that God is following us around like a well beaten dog that longs for a simple pat on the head. But what I am saying is that He waits for us! He longs for us to have a relationship with Him. He longs for us to talk to Him and share our lives with Him, connecting with Him.

David cries out to God throughout the Psalms, sometimes he down right yells at God! David says, "All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you." It sounds like David was really pouring his heart out to God. Isaiah tells us that the Lord longs to be gracious to (us); He rises to show (us) compassion. Try going to some king on this chunk of stone and tell him to rise and be gracious to you, it ain't gonna happen.

Man, God loves you soooooo much! And He demands the same from us! Just as we demand the same in our earthly relationships. God spoke to Moses, face to face, as a man speaks to a friend. How do we talk to our friends? We call them, ask them what's going on. We go here and there with them, we share our lives together, good times and bad.

What is more precious in this life than having a "best friend"? Someone you can share everything with, no matter how bad. Someone you tell everything to, because you already know that you will still be accepted and loved by them, even though you may bring pain and hurt upon them. Someone that will never let you down. If you don't have that kind of friend, you aren't alone, because they don't exist in flesh. That kind of friend is found in your loving Savior Jesus Christ. And He waits for you to call upon his name.

Before your feet hit the floor and before a single breath escapes from your mouth, tell the Lord you love him. Thank him for what he has done for you. Praise God and just tell Him what you have on your heart, He already knows, He just wants to hear it from you. Tomorrow is a new day and God wants to provide for your needs on a daily basis. That's why the Bible says His mercies are made new every morning and that we are being inwardly renewed day by day. God doesn't say that He will tend to us once a week or once a month, He says daily. He gives us what we need only on a daily basis because He wants to hear from us, every day! Cry out to Jesus, call upon the Lord! He loves you and he is waiting! P.S. We can learn a lot from our children!