Fathers Love
Love, may have various functioning definitions to people across the board. What is undeniable is its power. At the mere mention of the word various imagery, memories and senses are attached, invoking emotion. One may feel warm and blissful as another feels a void, potentially dissatisfaction. Love has built monuments, forged unlikely alliances and mended broken hearts. Love has also slashed some tires, cyber stalked and birthed painful soulful songs. There is the love one gives and the love one receives. Love is especially sweet when reciprocated. As I ponder this ever powerful four letter word I consider the love I have received. Love without condition, free of manipulation and lavished with grace. The kind of love that loves you at your worse but calls you to be your best. The kind of love that does not demand but encourages. It is a soft landing and a launching point all in one. The love that feels most Devine is arguably parental love. My first thought is a fathers love.
As a self proclaimed quintessential daddy’s girl, my father could do no harm. I refuse to even entertain a whisper that could threaten to defame his name. The man is my hero. With one endearing glance my way I felt seen, known, protected and infinitely love. I walked different and talked different with his presence in the room. If kryptonite was Superman’s weakness, my father was my strength. My super boost of confidence was in the love he lavished on me. The love was undeniably beautiful and solid. My birthright by simply being born I was adored. Before I accomplished one thing and through every failure, weakness and frailty his love persisted. on the day he passed the ground underneath me seemed to give way. As though concrete suddenly becamme sinking sand. It took some time but the noise ceased and the fog cleared. I still havd a very present father. I still had a stubborn reckless persistent love. A love that is my birthright. A love not contingent on my actions. Simply a love bitthed through relationshiip. My heavenly father adores me and I him. He sees me, knows me and protects me. He champions me, cheers me on and cared for my heart so well. The love is unconditional. unconventional and undeserving. He simply and perfectly loves me.
I don’t know where love finds you today. Is it flowing in abundance or dry as an empty well? I don’t know what love you may have loss. Perhaps what love you have never known. I do know the love I describe is available. It is not a simply a hope but a real possibility. Like a gift it awaits you to unwrap it, posses it and enjoy it. This love is your birthright through relationship. It is made possible through the person of Jesus and relationship with him. He has been my father, my strength and my protection from the moment my father took his last breath. He is available to you too. Simply ask, believe and receive.
Tamara’s Tangible Tips:
Pray: prayer is a conversation. I talk to God like I talk to my friend or my father. Sometimes it is one word I can stand to utter, others I go on and on and pour my heart out. Speak, he is listening. Even when it feels awkward, keep praying.
Pause: Ask yourself some honest questions. Where are you longing for love? How do you need to be loved? God can be all of this to you. Ask for it and by faith receive it.
Actionable Advice
Many names are given to God. In the Christian faith the bible uses many the name I want to focus on today is Abba. It is an Aramaic word meaning father. What penetrates my heart is Jesus used this word praying to his father at one of the most vulnerable moments of his life. He was praying in Gethsemane (Mark 14;32,36)
