How great the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
I work with a man who has two sons whom he absolutely delights in. Regularly he tells me stories about the funny things they've done or said, or about the father/son adventures they've had together. These two little boys have totally captured their father's heart, and I smile as I watch them interact together.
No doubt there's also plenty of trying moments, but these do not alter their daddy's love, or diminish his commitment to them. This man knows what precious gifts he and his wife have been entrusted with from God, and as a result, two little blond haired boys are flourishing. As I watch them, I get a further glimpse of God's Father heart for me. I sense Him telling me that this is how it's meant to be, and what He intended for all father/child relationships.
My understanding was further expanded at a recent Healing Retreat. I watched in amazement as God used a male staff member to minister His love to one of our guests. Tenderly he looked directly into her eyes, and spoke out the words her aching heart so longed to hear. Words of acceptance. Words of life. Words of unconditional and unfailing love. A small river of tears began to roll down her cheeks, and I found myself blinking back tears of my own. How desperately we all need to know that our Heavenly Father loves us. Until we do, we struggle and strive, and act like orphans. We fail to live in the reality that we've been adopted into Father God's family, and have the full rights of sons (and daughters).
Do you dare believe that Father God also delights in you? Whether you feel it or not, doesn't change the fact that you are deeply loved, greatly treasured, and even bring pleasure to your Heavenly Father's heart. You don't have to do great things in this life for Him to value you either. You are valuable simply because you're His child and belong to Him.
Just like a good earthly father has compassion on His child, so God has a heart filled with compassion towards you. You can bring Him all your cuts and bruises and hurt feelings, and His unconditional love and acceptance will soothe away the pain. Our Heavenly Father loves us without measure and delights in us. He loves us! He loves us! He loves us! He loves us and nothing will ever change that fact. Some of you will need to read that sentence again because you really struggle to believe it.
It sounds too good to be true, yet it is, and God wants that precious truth to be deeply etched into your most inner being. Maybe your earthly father isn't, or wasn't, like that and as a result you struggle to accept your Heavenly Father's love. Dare to allow God to reveal His Father heart to you, and you'll never be the same again.
Prayer: Father God, we all need a fresh revelation of Your great love for us. Thank You that You have not left us as orphans but have adopted us into Your family, and one day will take us to be with You forever. We choose to believe the truth. In Jesus' name, Amen.