See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! (1 John 3:1, NLT)
Every time I watch the movie What A Girl Wants with Amanda Bynes, I am moved to tears. Bynes plays 17-year-old Daphne Reynolds, and Colin Firth plays her estranged dad.The scene that always gets me is when she is finally able to dance with her father after longing to have a relationship with him her entire life.
He tells her that he loves her and that he wouldn’t change a single thing about her as the song, “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?” plays in the background.
It’s a lovely portrayal of that special relationship between a father and daughter. I had that with my late father, Walter Medlock, and I think because of that, I’ve never had a problem understanding and accepting the love of my Heavenly Father.
But I realize not everyone grew up with a loving earthly father and may have never experienced that unconditional kind of love.
Whether you grew up with a stern dad who never said he loved you, an abusive father who only hurt you, or you’ve never even met your father, I have good news for you. Your Heavenly Father adores you, and He longs to have a close relationship with you.
In fact, the Bible says that He loves you with an everlasting love. Leviticus 26:12 further shows how much God wants a relationship with His children when He says, “I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people.”
It’s like the old hymn, “And He walks with me and He talks with me. And He tells me I am his own. And the joy we share as we tarry there. None other has ever known.” God desires that kind of daily fellowship with you!
When you know God as your Father, you move from religion to relationship. He is no longer some distant deity in the sky or someone you’ve read stories about in an ancient book. No, when you truly know God, He becomes your Abba Father which literally means “Daddy.”
It’s time we get to know our Heavenly Father better, and the only way to do that is to spend time in His presence—reading His Word, worshipping Him and talking with Him.
READ MORE: DAILY DEVOTIONS FROM GUIDEPOSTS
If you don’t know where to start, get a daily devotional such as “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. Start reading the Bible every day. But most importantly, spiritually crawl up into your Abba Father’s lap and spend time with Him. Talk to Him and sit quietly in His presence so that He can talk to you.
Meditate on His goodness and the promises in His Word. And, get to know your Heavenly Father. He’s been waiting for you…
