There are three parts to God- Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We know this.
We have heard it in church a million times.
Jesus came to earth and lived a perfect life. He was perfect because God is
perfect. All three are perfect.
We know this too.
So what does it look like, a perfect father?
Is your father perfect?
I know mine isn’t.
That’s ok though; no one expects a human to be perfect.
But do we really think about what a perfect father is, and
how we actually have one?
Someone who never overreacts. Who doesn’t punish unjustly. Who comes to all of our games and performances and never
gets drunk or violent.
Someone who showers good gifts upon us, but doesn’t spoil
us. Someone who is always there,
whether we think we need them or not.
Someone who loves unconditionally, who’s always got our back, who has
our best interest in mind, who looks at us and smiles and says, “Yep, she’s my
beautiful daughter,� or “This guy here, he’s my son.�
In Pitesti, Romania, God gave me a glimpse of what this
really looks like. A tangible
example of how much he cares for us.
This is Marian.
He is an awesome man of God who is part of the church we worked with
this month. He has a beautiful
wife, Marte, and an absolutely gorgeous daughter, Tomine.
Marian adores Tomine.
You can tell this so easily by the look on his face and the way he just
radiates joy when he is caring for her.
Even when she is being a little ornery (as we all are at times) he is
right there- watching her, grabbing her hand when she is about to fall,
offering her a snack, loving her with every move she makes.
It’s absolutely beautiful.
My most distinct memory of the two of them was a time right
before we were about to worship one morning. Marian was holding Tomine around the waist as she stood on
his knee. She was distracted,
watching everyone and everything that was going on in the room. Her head was moving back and forth as
she was taking it all in, seemingly oblivious to who was holding her up. Marian was just gazing at her with such
a look of joy on his face, it made my heart melt.
That is the Father’s love for us. We look around, distracted, curious, wondering, all the
while forgetting who is holding us up.
How deep is the Father’s love for us!
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
1 John 3:1
Here is a poem I found online with over 50 verses describing
God’s love for us, his creation. Just in case you need a little more convincing of how loved you are!!
My Child
~
You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother’s womb ~ Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me ~ John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4
And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32
Love,
Your Dad, Almighty God
