The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

~Genesis 1:12 ESV

Every year when the cottonwoods bloomed, my father took us on a walk in the woods.

MY FATHER

The dogwoods were laden with blossoms, and wildflowers were scattered throughout the green grass. There were dandelions, wild violets, and stray daffodils. We saw an occasional rabbit and squirrel, which scampered away when we got too close to them.

As he led us across our pasture, over the creek, and into the woods, Daddy quizzed us about the names of the flowers and trees we saw. He was pleased when we knew the answer, but some I could not identify. Daddy made this a teaching moment and encouraged us to pick a flower or pull a leaf so we would get to know them by their look, feel, and smell.

This was a springtime ritual. No matter what we had been told the previous year, I never minded hearing it again. Invariably, I learned new things and relearned things I had forgotten. However, the best part was spending time with my father. I loved my daddy! And I knew from these walks that he loved me!

MY HEAVENLY FATHER

And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.

~2 Corinthians 6:18 NLT

We first know God as Creator in the Bible, but He later reveals Himself as Father. When Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them to pray, He said, “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:9 NKJV). 

When we accept God’s gift of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we become His children. Father God adopts us into His family. God wants His relationship with us to be one of love . . . the kind of love between a parent and child, one which is close and personal. We talk to Him in prayer, and He speaks to us through Scripture as we study His Word.

Our Heavenly Father wants to spend time with us and wants us to enjoy spending time with Him. He delights in us, and He always has time for us to approach Him in prayer. He is never too busy for us. God is available whenever and wherever we need Him. And He is available when we just want to enjoy His company. This pleases our Heavenly Father.

WELCOME, HEAVENLY FATHER

Friend, whether you’ve had the pleasure of having a good father, or you have only desired this, you can come to your Heavenly Father. He is there for you, and He welcomes you to spend time with Him. The relationship you can have with Him is the best ever.

Think of your father, or someone who was like a father to you. How did this fatherly guidance influence your decision-making?

Father God, thank You for Your love for me and for never being too busy to enjoy my company. Most of all, thank You for Your Son’s sacrifice on the cross, which made my adoption as Your child, possible. Thank You also, for my father, and for the men You have sent into my life who exercised a good, fatherly influence on me. In the sweet name of Jesus, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2019: My Father: Evelyn Mason Wells: All Rights Reserved