Posts filed under 'Father'
Psalm 68:6
Psalm 68:6 (NIV)
What does that mean? I’ve read this verse on sympathy cards and birth announcements. It’s been in devotionals and even book dedications. I don’t get it.
At first I thought, well … maybe it means God builds bonds within family so that when they’re gone we miss them. I guess that works, but it still seems like a kind of mean thing to do. And then there are families, even Christian families, where the members can hardly stand each other. Their relationships just seem to work better over distance. It’s best when these people live in separate states. So where is the lonely there?
I know someone who aches over the distance in her family. She works so hard to get them to function like she thinks they should. She knows what a family should be and hers just doesn’t measure up. So she fights to make them be what they ought to be. The thing is: when she honestly evaluates the situation, she realizes she doesn’t even like her family. If they weren’t related, she wouldn’t waste another minute trying reconcile these relationships. What’s the deal there?
Maybe the verse isn’t about the “lonely” at all. Maybe it’s about the family. The previous verses say God is “a father to the fatherless.” Maybe the family is the church. But the closer I grow to other believers, the greater the family I have in the church, the more I mourn over the disfunctional family I have — or had. I see clearly how much I missed and continue to miss as a result of circumstances outside my control.
I wonder if the lonely God sets in families is a longing for what we imagine we could have. Like a discontentment. Families are never perfect. Even the Cleavers have their quirks. Maybe the lonely is simply missing what we thought could be; missing what we can only find with God as Father. Maybe we feel lonely because God wants us to know Heaven isn’t here, that life could be so much better.
What do you think? What is the “lonely” God sets in families and why does He put it there?
Photo by Amanda Taylor.
2 comments February 15, 2008
Swallowing keys
Since having children I’ve spent more time than not reflecting on the fatherhood of God. He adopts believers as His children making Him our Father. He deals with us in parallel as we deal with our own children.
Today is one of those days when it’s easy to understand why some animals eat their young. Zachary has a will of iron and an independent spirit to match. He will remain steadfast on his erroneous course, seemingly oblivious to cause and effect. He loses toys and tv-priviledges; gets time-outs and (when none of that gets his attention) spankings. It exhausts me to continually enforce consequences. It would be so much easier (for both of us!) if he would just stop, listen and obey.
I’m so frustrated! But when I step back and remember the parallel; remember that I, too, am a child, then my heart breaks. I feel a double dose of compassion: one for our Father who must deal with me and one for my son, with whom I more readily relate.
Caedmon’s Call lyrics echo again. These verses from their song “Coming Home” perfectly describe the battle.
“You say you want a living sacrifice. Well, I am a burnt offering crawling off the altar and back into the fire. And with my smoke-filled lungs I cry out for freedom while locking and chaining myself to my rotting desires. And I hate the stench, but I swallow the key.”
Do you ever do that? I watch Zachary as one by one his favorite toys are taken away. I see the pain in his face, the obvious conflict. He wants to take the easy route, but for some reason he chooses to continue in his sin. Rather than submit to our authority, he insists he is in charge. Much like someone else I know.
And so we both pay consequences. I miss out on the blessings God has for me. I stew in my unmet expectations, forgetting that I never checked those expectations against God’s plans. I continue full-steam ahead, never hesitating, with a deluded vision of myself in provident reign.
The song continues: “Can you hear me? I’m coming home!” The good news is this: it doesn’t matter how far down the wrong path we’ve gone, it only takes one step to return.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
Yes, He can hear us! Even with the key stuck in our throats. We may not get all our toys back, but at least we’ll be on the right path again. We can start over, choosing the right this time.
Photo courtesy of imageafter.com. Song lyrics copyright 1997, Caedmon’s Call.
3 comments January 15, 2008
An audience of One
Hey, all! Thank you for your prayers and kind encouragement while I was sick. I am feeling MUCH better — still not 100%, but I’m getting there. 
7 comments October 5, 2007
Best friends in the end
A certain song has been running through my mind all week: “Me and You” by singer/songwriter Katie Tarpey. It’s a beautiful piece. She sings of her dreams for the future: bulding a home together with the one she loves. As she envisions children yet to be, she sings of a tire swing and a cardboard-box marching band. Then my favorite line: “We’ll raise them to be best friends in the end.” This is my hope.
As I watch them, I think about the family of God. All believers are children of God; that makes us siblings. Do we get along like that? Oh, I know we have the fights and we throw the punches. We argue over doctrinal differences and appropriate behaviors, but in the end, are we friends? Do we truly love each other?
Isabel and Zach love each other. They really love each other! They have their disagreements, but they always come back to being friends. This is how we should be. We should defend each other the way Zach rushes to protect his big sister if ever he thinks she’s under attack. We should run to help each other the way Isabel hurries to care for Zach if he falls or is hurt. We need to really and truly love each other as brothers and sisters, not just distant family members we have to tolerate.
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.” — 1 John 4:1-2 (NIV)
We cannot love God without loving His children. We cannot love each other without loving God. It’s all entwined. Just something to think about.
1 comment June 29, 2007
Father’s Day was Monday
Isabel says the same thing to Rick every morning: “Happy Father’s Day, Daddy! I hope you catch your train!” Last month every day was Mother’s Day … or Father’s Day or Zach’s Day. She didn’t want anyone to feel left out. But now, it’s all about Daddy. It started on Monday.
Once upon a time, I could take the kids shopping and no one was the wiser. I even took them with me to buy their own Christmas gifts. They didn’t remember. By the time we returned home, all was forgotten. Such is not the case any longer. On Monday the kids and I went to get a Father’s Day gift for Rick. Isabel was thrilled! She worked all afternoon making a special map and card for him. (A map because she is convinced everyone loves Dora as much as she does.) She helped me wrap the presents and then hide them in Mommy’s scrapbook closet.
4 comments June 14, 2007
Father knows best.
“I want that!” Isabel pointed to a huge case of plastic foods. Right next to it sat the nearly-identical set she got last Christmas, the set she rarely plays with. Her voice was filled with conviction, but her father knew better. Rick gently redirected our daughter to another aisle in the toy store.
Sometimes we think we know what we want; we’re desperate to get it. But our Father knows better. He knows us better than we know ourselves – from the hairs on our heads to the deepest desires of our hearts.
Rick knew Ellie didn’t really want more play food. He knew there was something better just a few steps away. He knew there was something else she wanted even more than plastic pizza.
In the same way God gently guides us. Are we following? Do we trust Him to know what’s best for us?
Isabel could have stomped her feet and insisted on having that first sight, but she would have missed out on a greater treasure. If we fight and struggle against God’s will, we, too, will miss treasures. We will settle for less than the best and likely endure pain along the way.
This reminds me of The Tale of Three Trees. Have you heard it? There is a book review on my other site: Christian Children’s Book Review. It’s a timeless tale in which three trees dream of doing great things. Through the course of the book they realize God had bigger plans for them than they could have ever imagined.
We may think we know what we want, but God knows better.
3 comments June 1, 2007
Princess Ellie
Where did “Ellie” come from? Well, as most babies do, she grew in funny proportions. Her belly accounted for all her weight gain for the first few months. Here was this tiny thing with a lovely rotund middle and skinny sticks for arms and legs. Her father thought it appropriate to dub her “Is-a-Belly”. Being one who was called “needle-butt” from infancy through high school, I refused to nickname our child after a body part. We compromised with “Ellie”. It stuck and thus began the family debate.
A few weeks ago, Isabel made her preferences known. Out of nowhere I heard a strong voice proclaim: “My NAME is ISABEL!” After a little discussion another compromise was made. We are now permitted to call her “Ellie”, but only if it is preceded by the necessary title of “Princess”. Otherwise, we are supposed to call her “Isabel”.
I’m actually glad she put her foot down – not necessarily about the princess part, but the rest has forced me to remember why we chose her name in the first place. ‘Isabel’ means ‘consecrated to God’. It was important to me that our children have significant names; names that mean something and will remind me of something. Now that I must call Ellie “Isabel”, I am daily reminded (several times a day!) that she is not mine. She is set apart to God; created to serve Him – and it is my job to prepare her for that purpose!
And Zachary … oh, Zachary! His name means ‘remember the Lord’. His middle name, Luke, means ‘bringer of light’. As I struggle with this strong-willed son of mine, I have no choice but to remember the Lord! My Lord, the Bringer of light … my prayer is one day Zach will be a mighty man of God, bringing the Light to everyone he meets.
Why am I sharing all this with you? Because God has a reason for names. All through Scripture peoples’ names are symbolic, relevant and sometimes ironic. They mean something. God has given us names, too. Here are just a few of the things he calls us:
Saints (Ephesians 2:19) – God’s consecrated people
Friends (John 15:14-15) – close confidants
Children (Galatians 3:25; 1 John 4:7, 5:1) – belonging to and imitating the Father
Heirs (Romans 8:17) – rightful stewards of the King’s riches
Forgiven (Psalm 85:2; Acts 13:38; Ephesians 1:7) – washed clean, blameless
Holy (Ephesians 1:4; Hebrews 12:14) – set apart for a specific purpose
Branches (John 15:5) – growing forth from the Vine (which is Christ)
Body (1 Corinthians 12) – working together, all part of One
We hear these words tossed around all the time, but have we thought about their meaning? Do we live like saints? Are we set apart and holy like we are called to be? Do others view us as forgiven heirs of the King? Hey, maybe Isabel isn’t so far off with her title of princess.
May we, as believers, remember the names God has given us. May we hold tight to their meaning and live to fulfill the expectations set by them.
5 comments March 16, 2007
Being a Child
With her big blue eyes and soft curls, Isabel rested her face in her hands. She smiled the world’s purest smile and sighed. “It’s fun being a child.”
Sometimes I forget she’s only two. She’ll be three in a couple weeks, but she is still so young! Then such profound statements roll off her tongue … I am lost in the wonder of God. How could He pack so much delight, intelligence, creativity, perception and enthusiasm in such a tiny package? She is beyond amazing to me, and the God who created her is unfathomable. I cannot even begin to comprehend all that He is.
In addition to His character is the truth of His love.
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” – 1 John 3:1 (NIV)
I think about Isabel’s statement. My teenage years were a blast! Without hesitation I admit: it’s fun being a teen. But being a child? That’s a different story. My parents’ divorce and the circumstances causing and extending from that filled my childhood with fear, doubt and insecurity. I didn’t know where I belonged and I never wanted to be where I was. I was lonely. I was lost. I was angry. It was not fun being a child.
I am so grateful Isabel and Zach have a different story. It is because of the differences they can enjoy their childhood. What was lacking in my childhood is present in theirs. Best of all, what is lacking from even their childhood is present in a relationship with God, the perfect Father.
As I’ve grown up, my ideas of fun have changed drastically. Once upon a fun always included a large group of people, wild activities and often loud music. Now, I love staying home and watching tv with only one person (my husband, of course). Fun isn’t always what you’re doing. It’s your circumstances and your attitude.
It’s fun being a child of God, not because we have the best toys and crazy parties, but because of the security and peace found in knowing we are fully loved by an awesome, faithful Father. It’s difficult to be bored when you recognize every day is a gift. You can’t easily be depressed when you have a Savior who not only sees past your superficial persona, but knows all your deepest, darkest secrets and loves you in spite of them. I’m not saying life is wonderful and filled with cotton candy. Christians have trials just like everybody else. But as children of God, we find security, safety, love, peace, joy, rest … everything we need and more in our Holy Father God. We know He is fully capable of anything and everything we request. Furthermore, we know He loves us and will give us what is best for us. In that we find immeasurable freedom. What’s more fun than freedom?
7 comments February 16, 2007
Lost
Early in the morning, my mother called. She couldn’t wait to tell me what had happened the previous day at work.
Mom works customer service for a big home improvement store. She handles returns and the like right inside the front door. As she stood there working, two men entered. The younger of the two wore dark glasses and held a cane. The older gently guided him to a bench. He helped him to sit then approached the desk. He had found this young man wandering in the parking lot; he was lost and blind. “Can we use your phone?”
“Sure. I can only make local calls. Is it here in Owensboro?”
The dazed young man stood. “Is that where I am? Am I in Kentucky?”
They confirmed, yes, he was. “Where did you think you were?”
“Texas. Fort Worth.” The boy started to sob uncontrollably. How could he have gotten so lost?
Mom called the police then started searching the phone book for anyone he might know. There had to be a reason he was so far from home and someone nearby who knew him. He did have name, so she started there. Going through one by one, she called every number with that last name. Halfway through the list she reached a woman, the young man’s mother. She was, at that moment, on the other line with the boy’s father. Mom told her where he was and promised to watch over him until the father came.
The father was actually in the parking lot. He had left the boy in their truck for just a moment to run into the store. When he returned, his son was gone. He had been scouring the shopping center trying to find him. He ran into the store, tears of relief streaming down his face. Strong arms enveloped his son while a tender voice assured him he was safe.
Mom’s voice cracked and faltered as she told me the story. She was completely moved by the father’s love for his son; by the fear he felt; by the compassion of a stranger to help him find his way home. As I listened, I couldn’t help but see the allegory. Does it sound familiar?
We have a Father seeking us always. God is searching, hurting, wanting nothing more than to protect us and bring us safely home. He may be just a step away, but sometimes in our blindness we fail to see. We are the lost ones. We think we know what we’re doing, but so often haven’t even a clue where we are. Sometimes we need a friend or stranger to help us; maybe even angels protecting us while we wait. Sometimes, after we’ve been found, we need to help others, show them where they are and how they can get home.
Who are you in this play? Are you the lost child? Have you been found? Or are you the stranger helping another to be found?
“But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look with all your heart and with all your soul.” – Deuteronomy 4:29 (NIV)
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” – Luke 15: 4-7 (NIV)
1 comment January 19, 2007
Fifteen years strong
Today is my rebirthday. Fifteen years ago I gave my life to Christ. Some of you have been Christians much longer than I; some of you may be stuck wondering what in the world a “rebirthday” is.
A rebirthday is simply an anniversary; it is the anniversary of being born again. Jesus said “No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3 NIV) He goes on to explain we must be born of the flesh and of the spirit. We are born of the flesh when we exit our mothers’ wombs; we are born of the spirit when we place our faith in Jesus Christ. Faith of what? Faith that what He says is true; what He says, He will do. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) If we put our trust in Him for salvation – not in ourselves, our works or our wealth, but in Him alone – He will give us eternal life as heirs of God. Our rebirthday remembers the day we were born of the spirit, the day God adopted us as His children.
None of this is to say that salvation happens in a day. Sometimes salvation is a process. It can take days or even years for someone to go from doubt to belief. But sometimes it does happen in a day. Sometimes there is a wonderful “ah-ha” moment in which a person is faced with their wicked immortality and God’s amazing grace. It is in that moment a conscious decision must be made: to accept God’s free gift of life and follow Him or to deny His grace and continue without Him. I made the choice to follow God on January 16th, 1992.
I was fifteen and grounded. Some parents threaten their teens with weeks or months of grounding but then recant. My mom grounded me for a year and never recanted. She stuck to her guns and made me stick with the punishment. It changed my life.
Before this disciplinary year began, my life was focused only on me and how to get what I wanted. More than anything I wanted to be a dancer. I wanted to be on Broadway. There was only one way to get from our map-dot of a town to New York: show choir. I worked my way into a circle of friends to help me get in. The problem was they weren’t much help in other areas. I started dating one of the guys who was tight with the director. A free ticket, so I thought. I was invincible and on my way. We started skipping school and lying to everybody. We even got the choir director to defend us and help us get away with it. This wasn’t serious stuff by today’s standards. We weren’t doing drugs or getting drunk. We were kids messing around. He was seventeen; I was fourteen. We thought we had the world in our back pockets – until my mom found out.
She was a single mom working hard to raise her four kids. She couldn’t keep an eye on us all the time, but the neighbors could. The lady across the street noticed my boyfriend’s truck in our driveway long past time for school to start. (This was after my mother had already forbidden me to see him again or have any friends over when she wasn’t home.) Our kindly neighbor lady called Mom to report. It was not a good day. By the end of it, I was faced with no friends, detention at school and a one year grounding sentence. My punishment disallowed me any association with this boy or his family for an entire year. That included any event or group in which he might be involved. So long, show choir. Adios, dance classes, plays and theatre. Good bye, Broadway.
The only social activities permitted were sports or church. I’m not athletic, so basically just church. I resented this from the tips of my toes. I blamed God for my parents’ divorce and didn’t appreciate having Him forced on me. If He really was all powerful, then He should have fixed my family. He didn’t. Instead we were drug through years of painful court proceedings, counseling and public humiliation. In a town that small, everyone and their mothers knew more about me and our family’s drama than I did. It was God’s fault and now, as punishment, I had to sit in church and hear all about Him every Sunday and Wednesday.
I begrudgingly joined the youth group. We had journals to keep and lessons to finish between each meeting. It was meant to teach consistent devotions, quiet times of studying the Bible and praying each day. I usually did the whole week’s worth in one sitting. They were short and this kept my penance to a minimum.
I don’t remember what the lesson was on January 16th. I don’t remember what day it was or what else was going on. What I remember is the verse I read and the thoughts that coursed through my mind.
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39
If none of these things could pull me away from God’s love, who was I to even try? I am no match for angels or demons or laws and powers. I am nothing and yet I realized, ever since my parents split nine years before, I had subconsciously been doing everything in my strength to abandon God. And in spite of all my efforts, blasphemy and rebellion, He still loved me. He would not allow me to abandon Him. Furthermore, He would never, ever abandon me.
Never before had I been loved like that. Oh, my mother loves me without strings or conditions, but she doesn’t know my heart. She doesn’t see my secret thoughts. God does – and He still loves me. He knows my words before they touch my tongue. He knows my thoughts and actions before I wake each morning. He knows all my faults, embarrassments and ill-conceived pride … and He still loves me! Faced with this kind of love I saw no choice but to embrace it. I confessed my weaknesses before Him and promised to live the rest of my days for His glory. Where He wanted me, I would go. What He asked of me, I would do. I surrendered all my will to Him and have never regretted it.
It has been fifteen years and I am so far from being perfect. Fortunately, I don’t need to be perfect – God loves me anyway. And I continue to put my faith in Him: that what He says is true and what He says, He will do. He says He loves me, and so it is true. He says He will give eternal life to those who believe, and that He will do. Praise be to Him!
If any of this is confusing to you or if you want to know more, please do not hesitate to email me. I would love nothing more than to discuss this with you further. I have found an awesome freedom in knowing God personally. I long to have you know Him too.
1 comment January 16, 2007
