itsawonderfilledlife

I was once talking to one whose relationship with their father had clouded their ability to see the love of God the Father as good, unconditional, ever-present.

As I inadequately tried to explain God’s love for them, they replied, “from all you have said, you had a father who made God make sense. For those of us who haven’t had a father like yours, it’s just harder to see that kind of love as possible.”

To be loved by God is simply the best thing. One cannot understand how amazing His presence is in our life until we hand over the reigns of our life. It is the experience of knowing that you are wanted in the most complete, unconditional way possible.

The problem is that often people struggle to understand and accept the love of God the Father, because their earthly father has been hurtful, unaccepting, unconditional, absent and/or downright abusive. These negative experiences with a father-figure can deeply impact the acceptability of God in their lives.

And hey, it doesn’t stop with fathers.

There are also those who have experienced similar hurts, absences, abuses and conditional love from mothers … from mothers who claim to follow the example of Christ. Such apparent hypocrisy can blind one’s eyes to God’s love and acceptance.

Such hurts and heartaches, originating from those who have sullied the name of Father, or the example of a Christ-follower can obscure the reality of love, the reality of the goodness of God before we have gotten close enough to accept it.

Now, for those of us who are parents. It is hard to realize the weight of how we might affect our children’s perspective of God the father. As a matter of fact, it can weigh heavily on us, leaving us with regrets, even with a sense of failure.

Yes, we are definers of what is a parent (father, mother). Yes we model parental care, discipline, care and steadfastness.

But …
the thing is,
if we think too long on our contribution to the spiritual eternity of another,
we forget that God is in control.

I love the wisdom of the book of Isaiah. I love how it’s messages always take me back to foundational truths … truths that can be trusted.

There are so many reminders in Isaiah 46, in particular, of who He is :

” … you whom I have upheld since your birth,
and have carried since you were born.
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he,
I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
With whom will you compare me or count me equal?
To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?” (v 3b-5)

“Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels.
Remember the former things, those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me.
I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,
and I will do all that I please.’
From the east I summon a bird of prey;
from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that I will bring about;
what I have planned, that I will do.
Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted,
you who are now far from my righteousness.
I am bringing my righteousness near,
it is not far away;
and my salvation will not be delayed.” (v 8-13a)

God is … God.

He is in control. He is in control of our beginnings and our endings. He offers grace to us all. He is mercy to each one. He is always with us … even when we do not see Him, feel His presence, know He is there. And His plans are not because of what we do … as fathers, mothers, children … but in spite of how we live, our actions and words (or the absence of them),

Most of all,

he is a father to the fatherless.
(Psalm 68:5)