Our Father

We often pray, “Heavenly Father.” In Sunday school I was told that we pray Heavenly Father because God created us. But if that’s the case then why don’t be pray “Dear Heavenly Creator” ? The term  Father encompasses so much more than just Creator. Think about your own father and all the things that make him your Father besides him helping to create you? And if you have or had a Father that wasn’t all you expected or hoped for, think about all the reasons you were disappointed. Who did you want him to be?

Without getting too psychological about the Father/Daughter relationship, I think we can all agree that we each have this image, this embedded desire about who we want our Fathers to be.

Think back to when you were little and what you needed/wanted from your Father. What comes to my mind is that I wanted to be loved, cherished, cared for, and protected. I wanted my Father to be interested in my life. I wanted him to participate in things I enjoyed, and I wanted to know about what He enjoyed. I wanted to spend time with him, to have his attention, and I wanted him to know I loved him.

Each year at Father’s Day, I think about this; the relationship that daughters have with both their earthly Father, and their Heavenly Father. I am one of the most blessed people on the planet for having the Dad that God gave me to. I know many people can’t say that and I often think about how challenging it must be to relate to God as a Father when the only Father someone may have known was less than caring.

Back in the Garden of Eden, The Heavenly Father did Create Adam. But he didn’t just create and leave. He stayed with Adam. He walked with Adam in the garden, He gave Adam tasks and oversaw their completion, he spent time with Adam, He loved Adam, provided for Adam, and protected Adam. And Even when Adam disobeyed Him, He didn’t just kick Him out of the Garden and leave him be. Yes, there were consequences for Adam actions, but God continued to care for him, give him children, and cultivate an entire world of people from him and Eve. God was there for Adam even after Adam disappointed God.

Our Heavenly Father is so much more than just our Creator. As we celebrate Father’s day this weekend I pray that it is a joyful time for each of us. Even if your earthly Father wasn’t everything you expected, you have a Heavenly Father who cherishes you and loves you more than I could tell you. Let God be more than your Creator, but your Father, whose unfailing love and unending mercy will never leave you disappointed.

In Christ,

Jill

This week I’m praying for:

Saturday: those persecuted in other countries

Sunday: my Dad

Monday: my job/co-workers

Tuesday: missionaries

Wednesday: those who do not yet know Christ

Thursday: my state/nation