Fathers

"Our father in heaven..."  From Matthew 6:9

Father.  What image does the word "father" bring to your mind?

I was very fortunate to have a father who modeled his role after our Heavenly Father.  When I think of father, I think of love, provision, protection, strength, justice, correction, forgiveness, and mercy--attributes of God Himself.  If you have, or have had, such a father, it is very natural for you to love and trust your Heavenly Father, and you have been given a great gift.

If you are a father, it is very important that your children see God's characteristics in you, because they will think that their Heavenly Father is like their earthly father.  You have an incredible responsibility.

If your father has been absent from your life or abusive, and you have so longed for a loving father, rest assured that you have one. Your Heavenly Father is everything good that you have desired.  Wrap yourself in His love and thank Him that He will never leave you nor forsake you, that He will be with you always.  He loves us, provides for us, protects us, forgives us, and helps us to grow more and more like Himself.  He is a perfect Father.

Heavenly Father, thank You for earthly fathers.  Thank You for those whose qualities reflect Your attributes. Thank You that those people who have never had such a father on earth have One in heaven, that they have in You everything that anyone could ever desire in a father.  Amen.