” You’re a good good Father, it’s who you are”
” And I am loved by you it’s who I am”
Everyone knows this song.
Most of us sing it, but do you know what you’re saying? Do you really know?
Are you singing full of emotion, or are you worshipping? There is a difference.
Let me explain why I can’t help but sing these words lately.
God is my father. He is a good father.
He disciplines well, and out of love.
He teaches me new things that will help me in life.
He listens to me, even when I just need to be quiet and listen to Him.
He provides my needs…..always
Last week I was sitting in church about to preach, and God told me to change my shoes. There was no denying this voice.
“WHAT?!” I thought.
I felt The Lord say,
“Do you trust me my child? Then change your shoes”
Seriously y’all there was no denying this voice.
I said “God I can’t do it. Church has already started I’m sitting at the front and I’m about to be on stage. I’m sorry father I just can’t.”
I felt so terrible and convicted because I knew 100% that it was God speaking to me. And it was such a strange request. I was so hard on myself the next day. But we had church again. And yes again He asked me to change my shoes.
I didn’t even hesitate this time. I walked out of church into my room and changed shoes. As soon as I sat back down in the church I prayed.
“Lord what in the world was that all about?”
Instantly, I felt an overwhelming peace and my mind was flooded with words to share with each of my teammates individually.
I felt the Lord telling me to write down these words to share with my team after church. I didn’t understand them but the words seemed encouraging. And it seemed to encourage them.
I learned a lot in that story, God taught me obedience. Not just saying yes to mission trips, but to say yes to the small things too.
Here are a few other adventures I’ve had with my father this week.
We walked the streets of gang territory and invited prostitutes to dinner. None showed up, but a lot of men did. They were sitting at a table and I felt the Lord tell me to go talk to them.
“But God I don’t know Spanish what will I say?!”
“Trust me” he said.
So I walked over “hola como estas”
(That’s the only Spanish I know)
Before I finished the sentence Linda came to save the day! She is a full time missionary from Connecticut and knows Spanish. I found out later that she was praying for someone to translate for.
“God put two willing souls together” she said.
I was able to share my testimony with those men, they heard the Gospel that night, and they asked me tons of questions.
This story taught me to always be ready. You can do men’s ministry at a dinner for prostitutes.
We have been clearing a field of brush for a soccer field. It feels good to work hard and see progress.
We are teaching English in public schools to adults and they are starting to ask about our testimonies and Jesus.
We are teaching English to translators so they can be “the best translators ever”
We are growing in community as a team and learning so much about what the Bible says about “the church”
We also were taken on a boat ride to a small island where we just swam and enjoyed some sunshine……
There’s a volcano outside my window. Last week we went to the top and looked inside.
We went to a coffee shop in a small town market. It was a much needed atmosphere.
They were playing 80’s music. That and the smell of coffee after a long day answered so many prayers for our team.
So I say again…. He is a good good FATHER!
He is fun, loving and so creative and gentle, he is powerful, almighty and BIG!!! God is not a mean strict parent, he just wants us to trust and obey.
Obedience unleashes the power of God. This phrase stays on my heart.
He is fathering us as a team. As his children every day he TAKES CARE OF US.
We are loved by Him. It’s who we are.
Next time you sing that song think about how good of a father he is. Don’t just sing, worship.
