When I imagined being in my secret place with God the Father I went in my mind to my Mimi and Grandad’s woodsy backyard on a tire swing. I have so many fond memories in that backyard and on that swing. With all of my senses I know what it’s like to be back there – the smell of the woods, the feel of the rope in my hands and legs on the tire, the sound of me saying “higher” and laughing away, the taste of my hair getting caught in my mouth, the view of the woods from the top of the swing. All of it. I know it all too well and I hope the details of it never fade.
God met me there and brought it back to life for me. The wind was blowing on my face and through my hair as I was laughing and smiling so big with my Father pushing me on the tire swing. I was having the BEST time with Him! There was no place I would rather be. Swinging wildly through the air and feeling so carefree and safe knowing that it is His hands that are in control. I feel a reverence and respect for Him. I know that He has authority over me and is just and holy, but I also feel safe, free, loved, and seen by Him. Just a flood of emotions that I can’t quite put into words.
I got off the tire swing and looked into His eyes. Loved. That is what I saw. I went to give Him a hug and He picked me up and squeezed me so tight and warm in His arms. Loved. That is what I felt. When I look at Him, He looks back. When I hug Him, He hugs back. His love is active and unexplainable.
Being on the tire swing with my heavenly Father brought me back to my childhood being pushed on that same swing by my earthly father and dang it felt good. I know how blessed I am to have an incredible earthly father who helped shape my view and build my knowledge of God as a Father. As I get older I become more and more thankful for that and never want to take it for granted. Because of my upbringing, viewing and experiencing God as a Father feels safe to me. I don’t fully understand Him, but that’s okay. Because all in and thorough me I feel and know that He is good and is someone I can trust and rest in. I love knowing Him as a Father. I want to learn more of what it means to be fathered by Him. I want to yell “higher” to Him and have Him show me more and more of what it means to be His daughter. I never want to get off of that tire swing in my mind. I always want it to be my Father’s hands pushing me and in full control as I swing freely through life.
How do you view the Father?
