With Fathers Day this past weekend I really got to thinking about how thankful I am for my Father. Not only my earthly father but also my father in heaven. A Father who loves me no matter what, a father who forgives me time after time, a father who knows the desires of my heart and is going to honor them, a father who knew me before I was even born, who knows how many hairs I have on my head and holds every tear I cry in His hand. I can’t even imagine the smile on His face when He was creating His most prized possession of all, His children.
Lately I have been learning a lot about how earnestly God is seeking us. He runs after us daily. I used ‘Abba’ to describe my heavenly father because the definition fits so well. Abba– an intimate term for God as Father. The word intimate is so important because that is exactly what God longs for, intimacy with us. He so deeply just wants to love on His children. He doesn’t care about the mistakes we’ve made or how many times we have turned our back on Him, He loves us anyways.
Two verses that I love:
Galatians 4:7 ” So you are no longer a slave, but Gods child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir”
Ephesians 5:8 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light”
These verses tell me that I no longer have to live in sin, shame or darkness but instead live and act like Im a daughter of the King. I am Gods beloved daughter. Notice the period. Because thats it. Im His daughter. No conditions, no requirements, regardless of my mistakes, I am His daughter.
It is so easy to let the things you do define you. Whether that is your mistakes, the sport you play, your financial status or your job title. I challenge you to leave behind the name the world has given you and replace it with the name God meant for you to have, “Child of God”.
In this season of life there is so much change happening for me. I graduated highschool and Im ‘entering the real world’. Im getting ready to leave everything that I know and am comfortable with for 9 months. Every aspect of my life seems to be changing. But what is so refreshing, is to know that one thing doesn’t change….how much my Abba loves me. His unconditional, reckless, overwhelming, fierce, kind-hearted, love for me will not change.
Things I am praising my Abba for:
– I reached my first fundraising deadline!! Woohoo!! 1/3 of the way there!
– I get to meet my Squad that I’ll be traveling with in 19 days!!!!
– Giving me the opportunity to talk to complete strangers in my hometown about this trip and share the gospel with them!
– Getting to meet with 4 girls weekly to disciple them and teach them about Gods never-ending love!
– My bible study for highschool girls that (has slowed down with summer) but has already produced so much fruit. As well as friendships and stronger relationships with our Heavenly Father.
Thank you Lord for pursuing me daily, never giving up on me and loving all your children so abundantly.
