So much of what I learn about God's love for us comes from my experience as a father. Listening to what God wants doesn't come easy for me, just like it doesn't come easy for my kids to hear me. They're involved with school or playtime and they just honestly aren't listening sometimes. I hope and pray they're listening in the critical moments, as well as in those quiet soft times when I like to tell them I love them. It matters to me that they know that. Then I realize that it matters to the Father that I know He loves me.

As His children, we can be anxious for nothing. While the King James Version may mean that as an imperative, "don't worry about anything," I mean that we Christians get our heads loaded up with all sorts of concerns for no good reason. We let these worries creep up and fill our hearts and then we don't do anything about them, like talk to Him about them. We just hang onto them. As a father, I want my child to tell me about what's on their mind. I like to feel needed, and being able to comfort my kids about what concerns them is important to me. It's one of my favorite parts of being a dad. I imagine God enjoys it, too.

Ten years ago, I was a new dad, adjusting to life with a newborn. Given her rough start, I was just glad to have my baby girl home. The day we took her home, I carried that little basket car seat over the threshold and a song just came out of my heart. I was so glad, so happy, and so in awe of the gift she was that the words came out in a quiet but happy song. It became her song and I still sing it to her when I tuck her in, remembering that moment each time. Is it any wonder, then, that in Zephaniah 3, it says that God sings over us as He rejoices in us?

Being at rest in His peace and trust, and loving Him as a son loves his father, I can't think of any better life to live, here now or hereafter. I am so grateful He loves me. I'm so thankful I'm a dad.

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Further reading:
Pianosteve's post on The Rights and Privileges of Sonship

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