Who is God to you? I was asked this question in church recently and my first thought was "Father". If I saw Him right now, if I could speak in His presence, I would call Him "Father".
I immediately thought of my earthly parents and how their Christ-like behavior shows me, as much as they can, what Christ as my Father looks like. They make Christ tangible to me. No parents are perfect, but mine strive so hard to serve the Lord every day and it affects every area of their lives in a positive way.
When I was a child, my parents' desire to act in His image showed me what Christ's heart was for me. They told me they love me every day. They were faithful in their promises. They were gracious as I learned to grow and mature. They provided me with everything I needed and taught me to have a thankful heart. They demonstrated God's truth through their actions every day! As a result, I trust the Lord to come through for me because my earthly version of what that looks like was so clear. My parents want to bless me and they are imperfect humans. How much more does my perfect Heavenly Father want to bless me?
Now that I've been a parent for almost 7 years, I feel the parental side of God's heart towards His children. I want to shower my babes with anything and everything! My heart could explode because of my overwhelming love for them, and how much more does God love them? I want to be My kids' earthly parent who does her best to show them the Heart of God, even though I'll make mistakes along the way. My parents' actions towards me developed a strong foundation of trust in the Lord and His plan for me. I desire so much to share that gift of trust with my kids. I want them to immediately think of God as someone they can curl up with, whose lap they can climb into, and whose chest they can lean on and say "Father".
Be gracious, faithful, and loving with your kids. Show them who the Lord is through your actions. Our actions, as parents, affect their understanding of the Lord. I'm not perfect, and I can't be. I need Him and His wisdom all day, everyday! I press into Him and He is always faithful. I know He is faithful, because He is my Father!
I immediately thought of my earthly parents and how their Christ-like behavior shows me, as much as they can, what Christ as my Father looks like. They make Christ tangible to me. No parents are perfect, but mine strive so hard to serve the Lord every day and it affects every area of their lives in a positive way.
When I was a child, my parents' desire to act in His image showed me what Christ's heart was for me. They told me they love me every day. They were faithful in their promises. They were gracious as I learned to grow and mature. They provided me with everything I needed and taught me to have a thankful heart. They demonstrated God's truth through their actions every day! As a result, I trust the Lord to come through for me because my earthly version of what that looks like was so clear. My parents want to bless me and they are imperfect humans. How much more does my perfect Heavenly Father want to bless me?
Now that I've been a parent for almost 7 years, I feel the parental side of God's heart towards His children. I want to shower my babes with anything and everything! My heart could explode because of my overwhelming love for them, and how much more does God love them? I want to be My kids' earthly parent who does her best to show them the Heart of God, even though I'll make mistakes along the way. My parents' actions towards me developed a strong foundation of trust in the Lord and His plan for me. I desire so much to share that gift of trust with my kids. I want them to immediately think of God as someone they can curl up with, whose lap they can climb into, and whose chest they can lean on and say "Father".
Be gracious, faithful, and loving with your kids. Show them who the Lord is through your actions. Our actions, as parents, affect their understanding of the Lord. I'm not perfect, and I can't be. I need Him and His wisdom all day, everyday! I press into Him and He is always faithful. I know He is faithful, because He is my Father!