On The Shoulders of My Father’s Love
I have always been a daddy’s girl. I remember when I was growing up, how my daddy would wait with me for the school bus before he left for work. He would joke and make me laugh to start my day. I loved standing on his feet while he danced with me to his favorite song. I remember my bursts of laughter when he would give me playful piggyback rides and pony rides as he crawled around on the floor. And I can still feel the grand feeling and perspective I had when he would carry me on top of his shoulders. There were times he would take me to the lake to fish just to talk and spend time with me. When I was afraid of the dark or thought something was in my closet, he was there to protect me and make me feel safe. He was always a great cook and made the most delicious chocolate cakes and banana pudding. He loved buying me ice cream… my favorite was push-ups, and he always took me to buy new shoes…the best penny loafers. He taught me how to drive and bought my first car. I love him for sooo many reasons, but most of all, I love him because I know there is nothing in the world my father wouldn’t do for me. He would sacrifice his life for me if he had to. I knew and felt that his love for me was that real and that strong. When I met my husband, it was my father who walked me down the aisle and trusted someone else to love me the way that he does. Then later, I was fortunate that my husband too is the same kind of father to our sons. He is a father who is passionate and cares so deeply, creating memories they too will have for a lifetime.
As much as I love my father and my husband, the father of my children, their love still doesn’t measure up to my Heavenly Father who has an even deeper love for His children. It is an “agape” love which is the highest form of love. It is highly unconditional, unselfish, patient, and casts out all fear. His love embraces a universe of people so much that He would do anything for them. A Father who sacrificed His only begotten Son so that we could live forever with Him in Heaven. Living in a world that is full of darkness and destruction, He gives us hope for a new life of joy and peace for eternity. John 3:16 says that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son and whosoever believes in Him will not perish and have everlasting life. I learned one day that to receive this kind of love, I just needed to believe that He too was my Father and that his son Jesus Christ died for my sins (Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.)
That is what my father, my children’s father, and many, many fathers around the world represent. They provide, they instruct, they sacrifice, and they love like Abraham did, like Isaac, Jacob, David, and the long line of fathers that led all the way to Jesus. They represent a father’s love the way God intended and carry their children upon their shoulders. To all of the daddies who have shouldered the love of parenting…Happy Father’s Day.
If you would like to learn more about God’s love and how you too can receive the Spirit of adoption into His family, join us on Sunday at 11:00 AM.