Father Heart of God

No matter how old I get, when it comes to the subject of Fathers, my heart will always have a twinge of sadness. 

I use the word twinge which by definition means "a sudden sharp pain; an emotional pang." It gives the idea of something short or sudden or maybe even just not lasting very long. 

I have come a long way in my life journey to actually say 'twinge'. Having been raised by a mom who loved me unconditionally helped immensely in growing up without my dad.

Yet there was a time in my life when I:

• Struggled with a dad who walked out us.
• Struggled with the questions and the 'wondering' if he ever loved me.
• Struggled with the hurt of being the little girl who just wanted to sit in her daddy's lap.
• Struggled with why he didn't tell his little girl he loved her & that he would do absolutely anything for her.

That was not my lot in life - that was not what path my life was set to take. 

God wanted a relationship with me.

He wanted to show me what a Real Father was like.

He wanted me to know that His love was unconditional, unchanging & everlasting. 

I heard something the other day that resonated within my heart, "God never grows tired of our need for Him." The Father Heart of God NEVER grows tired of my need for Him.

He will not walk out - throw up His hands - shake His head in disbelief - Gasp in surprise - NEVER!

This morning our Pastor talked about how God wants a relationship with us - Not just a functioning relationship but a deep life changing relationship. He is a holy, jealous God who waits for His children to come & cry "Abba Father!" He waits - as the Father waited for the prodigal son to return home - He waits. When He sees us He rejoices! He celebrates! He embraces!

Several years ago God gave me this picture that has stuck with me. Picture if you will a warm cozy room - I like to think of it as a den or a library. There is a fireplace with a fire going, a big overstuffed chair & a free standing lamp that it is dimly lit. 

Sitting in the chair is Papa God~ Always ready, never demanding, waiting for me/you to come & spend time with Him. There is another chair there for me/you to sit in. However, He is always willing to let me/you crawl into His lap.

This picture has been such a freeing thing for my heart - I grew up knowing God loved me but until I understood & accepted that the Father Heart of God loved me & that this was enough for me - It was only then that I lived in the freedom He intended me to live in.

What ever your 'father' experience has been - and I know that for some the past is very painful - I am not trying to lessen any of that. What I do want to convey is just how much more we have by trusting & believing in the Father Heart of God! There is no better place to be! There is no safer place to be! You can not ever be out of the Father's hand - you can't jump - you can't run. There is no place you can go that will ever take you out of the presence of the One Who loves you more then you could ever imagine.

This is why tears come to me eyes when I realize just how much He loves me - if His love does not move you to tears every once in a while I have to wonder if you really - I mean REALLY understand just how deep His love is for His children.