I have a four month old son. Even though I’m pretty much 40, this is my first biological child.
The doting new father with all the wonder of every ooh and ah and, “I’m sure he just said, Dadda” to every unspecific sound that comes from this bundle of baby.
We also have two beautiful teenage girls aged 14 and 18 to which I have the privilege of being step-father. I don’t take it lightly and, as much as possible in a blended family, I love them as my own.
Now that you can see our lovely little family sitting in front of the fire drinking hot chocolate and telling Christmassy stories, I’ll continue to where we were originally going… Seeing us through our Heavenly Fathers eyes.
How do you think He sees you? Are you the God with a big stick perspective? Or the old man with a big white beard sitting on a cloud type? However you see Him, most Christian parents would agree that to have children changes your perspective (or at least should) of how our Father in Heaven sees us.
The following three statements are from my own mouth to my son. Yet as I spoke them I felt the Holy Spirit prod me to believe these were and are words that our God and Father speaks to us.
“Don’t jump out of my hands, it won’t be good for you.”
This one is fairly obvious and self-explanatory.
You know the tendency of babies that haven’t quite mastered the holding-the-head-up-thing, they dive-bomb! One minute you’re holding them straight up and down, the next they’re head starts to roll forward and they’re on their way down, or worse, towards you and you end up being head-butted.
So I’m sitting on the floor in the lounge room with my son, Kailan, ‘standing’ on the floor between my legs as I held him as little as possible to allow him to learn to stand by himself. Hoping he wasn’t going to dive-bomb (thankfully he doesn’t do too much of that anymore) I said to him, “Don’t jump out of my arms, it won’t be good for you”.
It wouldn’t be good for me either, truth be told, after his mum got up!
I see this to be the picture of God sometimes as well. Wanting us to stand on our own, He hangs on as little as possible for us to learn and strengthen the right muscles that we can one day stand on our own two feet. Not without Him, but alongside Him as we learn to walk together with our God and Saviour.
Don’t jump out of His hands, it won’t be good for you.
“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” (Exodus 15:13 NIV)
“You’re beautiful”
These are the words I said to him as he rested in my arms. I believe one of the most beautiful sights for God, is that of His children resting completely in His arms.
There is much activity these days. Busy, busy, busy. Life seems to be what happens while most of us are still getting out of bed! Or at least, it can seem that way sometimes.
My boy, Kailan, had been playing with his hanging toys then straight into tummy-time where he has recently learned to roll. So as soon as he’s down on his back, he’s flipped and on his tummy, head up looking around. But that’s hard work after a while! So I move him to the next ‘event’ and eventually he’s in my arms asleep.
Activity is one thing, the right or wrong of it is in your hands, just be sure to spend time in the Fathers arms resting afterward. He looks upon His trusting child in peace and says, “You’re beautiful.”
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NIV)
“I love you so much”
I couldn’t say these words enough.
I say it when he wakes up, when we’re sharing a cuddly moment during the day and when he’s fast asleep and I’m putting him back into his bed.
Even the times he won’t settle and he’s driving me crazy with his crying and I can’t figure out exactly what he wants, I love him. He’s my child. That doesn’t mean I’m always relaxed and know exactly what to do, it just means that I still love him.
Thankfully our Father in Heaven knows what we need, when we need it and He knows we need to hear those words, “I love you so much”.
Never doubt Gods love for you. Never. No matter the circumstance or situation, never doubt God’s love for you. If you ever do, look to the cross and see it there.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NIV)
Simple thoughts, yes. But I want you to remember that the safest place is to rest in your Heavenly Father’s arms where He looks at you and says, “You’re beautiful, I love you so much.”
I finish with my Dad’s favourite blessing which is my prayer for you also:
‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’ (Numbers 6:24-26 NIV)
Be blessed
GB