I
remember when I was a little girl and my favorite spot to be was my dads lap.
My dad had his own special chair in the living room that he sat in everyday, no
one else. I can still picture the warm lamplight that would illuminate my dads
grey eyes and endless wrinkles. My dad would prop one leg up on his knee, and as
a little girl I would climb onto his lap and sit right in the middle where I
fit perfectly. It didn’t matter what fun games, laughter, or chaos that were
going on in the living room, I would not be distracted, I was in my dads arms
telling him my own stories and hearing his stories.
Most mornings I would even wake up
at the crack of dawn to make his orange juice for him to drink while he was at
work. My mom would hug and kiss my dad goodbye, and so would I. I will never
forget the smell of his coffee stained, orange juice smelling beard. My dad
would choose one of my siblings to take on breakfast dates every Saturday; if I
was the lucky child to get picked to go on this fun adventure then I was the
happiest kid in the world! I loved being in my dad’s presence.
I also remember the times when it
would be a long school day, and I would give my mom nothing but trouble. Instead
of disciplining us herself, she would tell us “wait until dad gets home”. Disappointing
my dad was always the worst. Seeing his grey eyes not so bright, but
disappointed, changed my heart. Though, even after being restricted from
watching TV, a few tears, maybe even a few jumps of temper tantrums, at the end
of the day, I would still climb onto my dad’s lap and be so absolutely loved.
The past was in the past, I was in my dad’s arms and that’s all that mattered.
Reflecting on these memories as an
adult brings an instant smile to my face; I pray that I will never lose these
memories. To compare and contrast my relationship with my dad on earth and with
my Dad in Heaven, God, gives my heart a better comprehension of God’s father
heart for me. It’s a beautiful blessing that our God calls us His sons and
daughters, and loves to spend time with us. He has a special place on his lap
for each one of us and adores listening to our endless stories, and He also
adores to share His own.
This idea though, of a disappointed
dad on earth is different from our Dad in Heaven. When we fall down, when we
make mistakes, it’s his compassion and grace that is seen in His eyes. Me,
being human distorts my vision to see God’s eyes. How can I understand a dad of
complete and total grace?
His grace for His children is an
overflow, a never-ending fountain of hope for each person who accepts God as
their personal Dad. To be human means its difficult for us to comprehend the
forgiveness and grace of our Dad, but even Jesus spoke about the beauty of
being a humble child, and how necessary it is to be a part of the Kingdom of
Heaven.
Matthew 18:3-4
“…I tell you the truth, unless you
turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into
the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone
who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of
Heaven.”
Jesus, telling it like it is. We
need to receive it, believe it and walk in it. I for one will make the choice
to do so, to climb on my Father in Heaven’s lap and be wrapped in His presence.
