God, the Father

I was (as I do every April) thinking about the days that led up to my father's death.  It was April 1992.  This year the actual anniversary would fall on a Sunday.  On Saturday afternoon I was asked to lead worship for the Sunday morning service.  It was late notice, but the man scheduled to lead was unable to make it back to town in order to lead the service.  So, I took the opportunity, as I almost always do. 

I thought about God as Father and used that as the theme for the service.  How big a blessing it is to go through this life with a good father.  It makes it so much easier to understand God as father. 

I remember hearing the story about the young man who decided to give his life to Christ after a church service.  He understood his sin and God's gift of grace, and he wanted to receive it.  When the pastor finished explaining and began prayer, he said, "Our father...".  The young man shut him off and said, "What did you say?"  If God is a father I'm out of here! 

It turns out his own father was the worst of examples and the young man had only negative thoughts about fathers.  What a burden that must be!  I'm so thankful for the memories I have of Dad.

Playing games.  Camping.  Fishing.  Watching TV.  Working in his shop.  Meals.  Trips in the blue Ford pick-up truck that quit working as soon as its driver was gone. 

As a father has pity on his children, so the Lord has pity on his worshipers.

Psalm 103:13