Posts Tagged Daddy

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

I have often wondered if those who grew up with a devoted earthly father had an easier time growing in their relationship with God.

I have been told we often view God the way we view our earthly dad. Therefore, if we have an absent or uncaring dad, we struggle seeing God as a Father to be trusted. I concur. I have found there is truth in that statement. The Bible tells us of so many blessings available to us as children of God. And yet, sometimes I find I have a hard time grasping them. Resting in them. Enjoying them.

Romans 8:15 says, “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

The term “Abba” is Aramaic, meaning “Father.” It was the word Jesus used when referring to the heavenly Father. The combining of the Aramaic term “Abba” with the Greek term for father (pater) expresses the depth of intimacy, emotion and confidence by which we can cry out to God. It translates to “daddy” or “papa.” It implies we have a relationship so close and personal we can call Him Daddy.

And yet the thing I have struggled the most with over the years is trusting God the way I should be able to trust a dad. His Word says we do not need to worry for He will take care of my needs (Matt. 6:25-34) but I worry a lot about my family, my children’s safety, our finances and who knows what else I conjure up.

His Word promises He goes ahead of me, and will be with me. He will never fail me or forsake me, so I do not have to be afraid or dismayed. (Deut. 31:8) And yet, I spend too much time afraid. Especially afraid that when something bad does happen, He will not be with me. Fearful He will abandon me in my time of need.

His Word says I do not need to depend on my own understanding but can seek His will and He will show me which path to take. (Prov. 3:5-6) He says He will guide me. But I spend too much time feeling unsure and uncertain. His promise is our hope in Him will not disappoint us (Rom. 5:5) and that Jesus came to give us not just life, but abundant life (John 10:10). I have wasted too much time and energy being afraid to fully surrender and place all my hope solely in Him. I am afraid to let go of what I am under the illusion I can control. 

Anabelle going on a date with her Daddy. He always buys her a corsage and she looks forward to her Daddy/daughter dates for months in advance. What a precious gift for them both.

I am learning. But some days it feels like it is a battle. I watch my daughter with my husband and feel both thankful and sad. I am more grateful than words can say for the Daddy he is to her. She basks in it. He basks in it. I feel sad I will never experience that. And wonder how old will I be when I finally have fully surrendered to my Heavenly Daddy, and let Him fill the gaping hole in my heart?

Last July my husband had promised Anabelle he would take her fishing on her birthday. Finally on the day of her birthday, he gave her a new fishing pole as a gift. After opening it, she ran upstairs to put on her shoes to go fishing. As I walked back down stairs with her, she said to me, “My Daddy makes promises. We are going fishing.” She was so excited she bounced.

What she really meant was, “My Daddy KEEPS promises.” At 6 years old, she values a father keeping his word. It is a soothing balm for my heart to know I have a Daddy that keeps His promises, too. It is still a learning curve. But I have hope in it. I cry out, “Abba, Father.”

For better or for worse, has your relationship with your earthly father affected your relationship with your Heavenly Father?

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Three great days have came to an end today. I am pooped, I don’t mind telling you. And energized all at the same time because I have spent three full days meeting and talking to incredible women. As American Mothers, Inc., we handed out over 1200 of our Mom to Mom magazines, added mothers to our email list and are enriching our organization by adding genuine, Christ-centered, vibrant young mothers to AMI.

On a personal level, I chatted with some of the funniest and cutest mommies out there. I am honored at the possibility of getting to speak to their groups. What a blast we will have!

I chatted with a couple of mothers from Las Vegas and we swapped stories about my former home of 6 1/2 years, and pinpointed exactly where each other lived. I met a mother who is a real, honest-to-goodness pig farmer from Louisiana. I know, right? How seriously cool is that? She was adorable. Compassion International had a booth across the aisle from our AMI booth and during a lull, I spent time visiting with a young lady working with them. She was a hoot and I so wish our paths would cross again.

I found the boys Christian comic books and a Bible in NIV child-friendly language with great color pictures. They will love them.

I found Anabelle the absolute cutest little flip-flops. And they were only $10 - love that! How creative and simple to make something so darling?

  

Well, yeah. I HAD to have my own pair. And they were $10 also. I am a shopping mastermind.

 I now get to enjoy a relaxing dinner with three of my fellow AMI’ers and discuss the past few days.  But early to bed, early to rise. I have to catch an early flight home to my family, and I definitely don’t want to miss it.  Absence makes the heart grow fonder? I didn’t think it was possible, but my heart is fonder.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Let me start by saying, my husband rocks when it comes to playing single-Daddy. He is hands-on and, as I have stated before, he doesn’t babysit his children, he parents them. So when it comes time for me to leave town for a couple of days, he has things under control. True confession, it is me that is in the tizzy.

I am so excited to head to Nashville to partner with American Mothers, Inc. (AMI) and work the MOPS convention. I will be selling my book and promoting AMI for 2 1/2 days, but I am most excited to meet these amazing young  mothers. Yes, I know they are amazing simply because they are attending a convention to improve themselves and grow mentally and spiritually as women and mothers.

Any mother knows that to surgically remove yourself from your children for more than 2 hours takes an act of congress. So to be making this 2 1/2 day trek, is nothing short of miraculous. I can tell you exactly what these mothers will be doing tomorrow.

Laundry, laundry and more laundry. Cooking and storing 3 days worth of meals. Writing out to-do lists and to-don’t do lists for her hubby, mother-in-law or whomever is watching over her little cherubs while she is away. Then she will stand in her closet for 28 minutes in shock and awe that there is nothing without an elastic waist line to wear. Thoughts interrupted by the call of the wild, you know, the two young’uns fighting over a piece of candy found in the couch cushion, she will grab a suitcase and moan, “This will have to do.”

After much tears, wiping snot and shouting last minute instructions, she is off to rejuvenate, renew and refresh and spend her whole time away from her children missing them. She will battle the inner voices inside arguing the guilt of being away from her family, against the satisfaction of being able to enjoy personal growth time just for her. Yes, these are indeed amazing moms, and I cannot wait to meet them.

I would write more, but I have to get back to my state of tizzy. I am only half way through my to-don’t do list and I still have to serve my 28 minutes in my closet. And by the way, why can’t yoga pants be considered professional wear? Just something to think about….