My loving father...

While at retreat this past weekend one of the speakers shared a message titled, “Learning to walk with my Father” and the significance in “…how we view God is influenced by our own father…” and the relationship we have with him.  I was moved from head to toe as I listened to her share her heart and soul with the other 200+ women in the room.  I prayed for her to have the strength to continue and for her message to be shared.  I prayed for the women in the room that might be feeling the same as her.  I prayed her testimony would be the hope, encouragement and blessing God intended…He knew who needed to hear it and the speaker allowed Him to work through her and the message was delivered powerfully from the heart. 

Psalm 68:4-5 (NIV)

Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
   extol him who rides on the clouds;
   rejoice before him—his name is the LORD.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
   is God in his holy dwelling.

Her relationship with her earthly father had been one of absence and disappointment.  The relationship with her step-father was distant and one of isolation.  Yet when she accepted Jesus and started to truly understand the father-daughter relationship available through Him and with Him…her life and view of the Father was transformed into an all-powerful reality.  God is a loving, caring and all-consuming God.  She shared many verses to provide hope, security and  confirmation of God as the ultimate father. 

Her message at first saddened my heart yet her summary left me hopeful for others in her situation.  God spoke through her Friday afternoon.  During the break I was consumed with thankfulness for the very amazing, loving, protective and “right there” dad I was raised by.  With his example it is easy to see these qualities in God…Thanks Dad for always being there and the example of love, grace and mercy you modeled and exemplified in my life, through yours!

In conclusion…“I know that’s right!” (with a knee slap too, of course)

Have a great week everyone!
Lisa :)