"One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord" Psalm 27:4
I am a "daddy's girl". When I was very young I can remember wanting to be wherever my daddy was. I would wake up every morning so that I could sit with him while he ate breakfast and give him a big hug before he left for his long day of work.
Mama would tell me that I would be devastated if I did not wake up in time to see him off. My feelings would be so hurt I would cry and my day would just not go so well.
I remember being so proud when I would see him pull up in front of our house after work each day and walk down that long sidewalk to our front door. I would run and jump into his arms and everything would be right with the world again. My daddy gives the world's greatest hugs. When he hugs, you know it!
He would take me with him on errands and maybe even job sites sometimes. I loved riding along beside him in his big green truck, my arm against his, (before seat belts were a thing) watching his feet and hand work in unison as he changed the gears. I was so small my view was the dash board and the sky up above. I didn't care. I was with my daddy!
He has told me stories before of how I was always such a quiet baby but when we were alone together I would tell him all kinds of tales. Filling the air with words.
As much as I love and honor my earthly father one thing is for sure, He always pointed me to my heavenly Father. You see, Pop is a godly man. He was honorable and hard-working. He took his family to church. He led us in prayer before every meal. He always made sure we had everything we needed and some of what we wanted. We were confident and sure of his love for us. He was a man's man but his affection for his girls were evident in the way he lived his life. And more importantly His love for his Lord was written all over his actions and deeds.
"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."
Deuteronomy 6:7
Girls, shouldn't we feel that way about our heavenly Father?
To desire to be in His presence everyday? To run to Him and lavish in His love for us? To talk to Him about all that is on our heart? To walk with Him on our path of life? To enjoy and embrace His goodness and mercy? And to miss Him so desperately when we failed to call on Him?
You can trust Him with your love, your joy, your deepest wounds, your fears, your life.
He will embrace you with His mighty strong arms of love. And oh the hugs He gives!
I dedicate this devotion to my daddy today on his 79th birthday.
Happy birthday, daddy!
I love you & He loves you more!
Lord, thank you for my daddy. The love and admiration I have for him only makes me see You with clearer vision. I run to You and am so happy to be in Your strong arms of love. Amen.