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Abba Father

Life as a parent teaches you many things. In fact, I would dare to say that I have grown in my understanding of God and how He must view us, exponentially more than I ever did before I was a parent. After all, He is God our father.
There are so many times as a parents that I think to myself, "why don't you listen to me more?"; "why do you insist on making the same choice over and over again?"; "why in the world world would you think that was a good idea?"; and lastly, "don't you trust me?"
More than they know, I want my kids to go through life with the least amount of pain possible. I want them to be happy, content, healthy, smart, strong and safe. There is absolutely no part of me that ever wants to see them suffer. None. Zero. Yet, I know that if they persist in making a wrong choice, a painful consequence is inevitable. How do I know this? Simply because I have been around longer than they have and have already learned some life lessons. Do I claim to know all? Heavens no! I'm sure those 30 years older than me could attest that I have much to learn.
But... I do know a few things and those few things I want to pass on to my kids, hoping that they might listen and learn from me instead of their own downfalls.
If you are a parent and reading this, I imagine you would echo all these words I have just written. None of us want our kids to learn the hard way.
Now, here's my aha moment...
Why do we think God the father is any different? Why do we think that He is eagerly waiting in Heaven watching for us to make a mistake simply to throw down a lighting bolt? Why do we paint Him to be an unfeeling, grumpy heavenly presence? Why do we subconciously or even consciously think that He wants to punish us? Dare I be so bold to write the following... why do we think we know better than He does?

Abba Father, may I be mindful of the fact that You know everything, that You gave us a guide to lead us (the Bible), that You have more planned for us than anything we could have dreamed for ourselves, and that You long for us to run into your open arms not away from your love.

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