Leaning Toward the Father

I was holding my goddaughter today when she saw her daddy.  She became very excited, and a  huge grin spread across her face when he said hello to her.  He was holding some things in his hands and couldn’t take her immediately, but that didn’t stop her from leaning toward him, nor did it stop her from jumping out of my arms to get to him.  Eventually, he stretched his hands toward her, and she went to him.  She turned back to me, smiling that beautiful, toothless grin that only she could give.

Seeing a daughter anxiously trying to get to her father, desiring to be held by him, blesses my heart because I never had a warm relationship with my father.  Consequently, I held a lot of sadness in my heart for a long time because of that essential but missing relationship.

However, I have a relationship with another Daddy.  I call Him Abba, Father, Lord, and God.

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father, (Romans 8:15).

Our relationship with our Heavenly Father is the most important relationship we can ever have.  Unfortunately, we spend more time chasing and nurturing unhealthy, unproductive, and ungodly relationships that hinder and hurt us more than we pursue and nurture our relationship with the Father, which always leads to blessings.

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God, (Psalm 42:1).

Just as my goddaughter demonstrated her longing for her daddy, I’m longing for Abba, Father, because He satisfies my soul.  I reach for Him, and He never puts me off.  I cry for Him, and He wipes every tear.  I watch for Him, and He guides me.  I speak with Him, and He answers me.  He never lets me down.  He never ignores me.  He never rejects or abandons me.  I am the apple of His eye.

Watching my goddaughter lean toward her father reminded me that I need to spend more time leaning toward my Heavenly Father.  Leaning toward Him guarantees that my soul gets the joy, peace, and comfort I need.  And because of that, I will lean toward Him forever.