God Really is Our Perfect Father.

Father’s Day, for many, the holiday elicits fond memories. For some of us though, it re-opens wounds. Unhealed places that may have made it impossible to understand God’s love. (That was me.) But now I know God really is our perfect Father.

The crash of glass smashing overlaid with yelling reverberated through my childhood bedroom wall. The silence of the late-night shattered like the bottle.

I cowered under the covers. Seeds of fear and anxiety were being planted. I did not realize as they grew and flourished, my ability to understand God as a loving Father withered.

Through no fault of your own, your childhood too may have been punctuated by more conflict than hugs. As a result, seeing God as a loving Father may seem incomprehensible.

I now see that my earthly father did the best that he could, with the resources he had. (After a healing process that took time)

God Waits Patiently, He Really is Our Perfect Father

And, by His grace, my Father God gently broke down the barriers I had not even known I had erected. As a result of His persistence, I could gradually see His love.

His hand, or voice, is not raised to us. God’s arms are wide open waiting to embrace us. His gentle voice persistently calls to me – and you. Calling us to come to Him.

God is overflowing with love and grace.

He wants us to know Him as our perfect Father.

His love is rich and deep. Like a treasure chest filled with gems. Look what these verses tell us:

¹⁷ How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
    They cannot be numbered!
¹⁸ I can’t even count them;
    they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
    you are still with me!”

Psalm 139:17-18

God’s Thoughts About Us

Regardless of how, or what, your earthly father thought about you, our heavenly Father’s thoughts about you are precious. He is not disappointed in me or you. 

Not only that, but his thoughts are immeasurable – more than the grains of sand. (having enjoyed the beach a time or two, I know there are a lot of grains of sand. 😊 )

And all these good thoughts are not dependent on what we have done, achieved, thought, bought, or said. There is no small print.

God’s actions reflect His love and grace.  

God Never Abandons Us

I wonder if your father ever left you. Maybe physically, or perhaps emotionally (like my dad did from time to time).

Both types of abandonment leave deep scars.

So, I smile broadly as I reflect on the second part of verse 18. God does not leave us – in any way.   Ever.

Here is a short verse that sings with the love of God. Jesus is talking to His disciples. (But the same truth stands for Jesus followers today)

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” John 15:9 (NKJV)

God’s Love

Jesus and His Father, God, have a deep, close, and personal love that never changes. It is without beginning or end.

And Jesus tells us that He loves us in the same way.

I shake my head in amazement as my face creases in a huge smile of thanksgiving.

But the good news continues. Jesus says, “abide in My love”.

He wants us to remain, rest, dig in, and make ourselves at home in that love.

As we envelop ourselves in that love, we get to know Jesus more. Our relationship deepens.

Just what He wants, and so do I.

God really is our perfect Father.

I needed time for the truths of these verses to soak in – to water my parched soul.

You may too. Give yourself time and grace.

Once you begin to understand the nature of God the Father’s love, I believe you will be refreshed and renewed.

Here is another article about God’s love, if you would like to read more.

His love changed my life, and yours can be too.

(And there was an unexpected bonus. Once I began to understand that God is my perfect Father, I was able to truly celebrate Father’s Day with my husband. A great dad for our two sons. 😊)

I pray that you too may accept that God wants us to know Him as our perfect Father. And may you choose to walk toward His outstretched arms.