Sometimes we have a hard time grasping just how much God loves us. In fact, I've talked to lots of people that feel as if there as a God but he's disinterested, far away, and pretty much involved in our lives. As far as the Bible goes, all they see is an antiquated bunch of stories that reveal God as vindictive and angry. I know what I'm talking about here, because I used to believe the same way. In fact, the only reason I could think of to become a Christian and be "good" was so I could miss Hell when I died. I mean really, who wants to "bust Hell wide open" after all the stuff I'd gone through here in this life?
Over the years, I began to see the real nature of God. As a parent, God used example after example of how I love my own children, to show me who He really is...and He wasn't at all vindictive, angry or far away. Here is one of my favorites.
When Jes and Blake (my children) were young, my husband was in seminary. We live in seminary housing and for the most part, the neighborhood was as very safe place, made up of only seminary students and their families. The children were free to romp and play without worry of harm. The school bus picked them up every day and parents could watch their children board the bus from their balconies. Jes was in kindergarten and walked to the bus stop every day with his older sister, Blake who was in the 3rd grade.
On this particular day, I received a call from Blake after school...
"Mom! Today at the bus stop Mrs. W grabbed Jes by the arm and yanked him hard."
I could feel my blood begin to boil. Someone had put their hand on my baby? I don't think so!
"Blake, " I said gently, "Tell me exactly what happened..."
Blake proceeded to tell me how Jes and Mrs. W's little boy, who was the same age as Jes, got into a tussle, pushing each other as little boy's do. Mrs. W proceeded to yank Jes away from her son and put him in the back of the bus line while not addressing her son at all.
Now, parents...do I even have to tell you how livid I was? I calmed myself down and told Blake, I'd be home shortly to see about Jes and I was sure he would be fine.
As soon as I hung up with Blake, I immediately found Mrs. W's number and began dialing...
"Mrs. W? This is Mrs. Sterling." I said.
Mrs. W then began breathlessly and defensively rattling off the mornings events. "I wanted to speak with you and tell you what happened..."
Calmly but very firmly, I interrupted her diatribe. "Mrs. W, I only have one thing to say to you...don't ever TOUCH my son again."
"But you don't understand!" she whined.
"NO, you don't understand Mrs. W. Don't ever touch my son again. You were out of line and no matter what he did, you had no right to touch my child. DON'T EVER DO IT AGAIN!
"But!" she said.
"No buts ." I said, "Don't touch my child ever...EVER."
With that I hung up the phone and tried to calm down. You see, Jes was my child and it was my right and responsibility to discipline him and no one else's...well, except his daddy's. I loved him. I knew what was best for him and I knew I'd never hurt him even if I spanked him. I could be trusted. Mrs. W couldn't. He didn't belong to her. Jes was my baby.
Years, after the incident, God used it to show me His love for His babies and the message came through clearly. God loves His babies like a protective parent. If you're a good parent, you know what I mean. If God loves me even half as much as I love my children and grandchildren, how can I not be drawn to him and cry to him,
"Abba, father!"
Prayer:
Heavenly, Father...Daddy. Show your babies your love and true nature today. Because we aren't perfect, we don't always reflect your love and true character. Forgive us! Please draw your babies into an intimate love relationship with you. In Jesus Name...Amen.
