Those that know me, know that Daddy Bill (my grandfather) was my fatherly example in so many ways. He loved me. There is not a time I think about him that I do not realize that fact! He loved me! He disciplined me, he teased me, he taught me but more than anything he LOVED me! I never doubted that one day of my life. He loved my grandmother (Ma). Oh, there were times he was frustrated with her or with me but that frustration never led to actions that made me doubt how much he loved us both. He loved all of his family but I got to see the interactions with me and Ma on a daily basis.
He loved God, I remember seeing him read his Bible, I remember hearing him pray. He made sure I was able to go to church, whether I was living with him and Ma or with my parents. When they weren't in church, every service he would pull up to the door to take me to church. I am thankful for that heritage. I know so many that can't say they had a Godly example to see in the flesh.
Daddy Bill showed me one thing clearly - proud or angry, happy or sad, depressed or joyous - he showed me love. It was unconditional love. There were times I disappointed him, there were times I made him angry. Still I saw his love no matter what was going on.
So today as I think of my Heavenly Father, I have something to help me understand my Father's love. When I read Matthew 7:11 "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?", I get it. Daddy Bill was human and yet I never doubted his love, how much more can I trust in my heavenly Father's love?
Now I know many folks do not have that benchmark in their lives that they can say 'I saw love by my daddy, my mother or my grandparents'. Because there were people in my life that I should have been able to trust, that didn't show that love, I get that too. Trust is hard. It takes a leap of faith on your part. I remember jumping into Daddy Bill's arms on more than one occasion, I didn't doubt he would catch me. But I know many of my friends took those leaps toward people who turned their heads, they walked away, they just refused to catch you. I've had those people in my life too. I know how that hurt. I know how confused it makes you feel.
I wish I had the words to express how confident that you can be that our Heavenly Father will never walk away, I wish I had the ability to describe the complete confidence that you can feel in His ability to catch you no matter what the circumstance. I wish I could articulate the breadth of His love for you.
In Hebrews 13:5, He promises never to leave you, that was something even Daddy Bill couldn't promise me. He left me, he took his last breath and that day changed so many things in my life. But God will never take a last breath. He will never be on life support. On our darkest day, He can shine the light that will illuminate every part of our life. He is faithful.
I knew of God's faithfulness, I had seen it demonstrated over and over again but knowing and fully trusting it aren't the same thing. God stands with His arms open, wanting us to take that leap but often our fear holds us back. I John 4:18 tells us "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." God's love can overcome fear! God's love does overcome fear!
But that doesn't mean that satan will not try to bring the fear back, he is the master of bringing up the things that hurt us, the things that control us, the things that cause us to fear. But each time he brings up those fears, we can take it to the cross and find the perfect love that casts out all fear. I am my Heavenly Father's daughter. I am an heir. I am who He has made me to be! There is nothing that will cause Him to turn His love from me. Each day I want To Be My Father's Daughter and show His love to those around me.
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