Our Father’s love for us
A father rushed to his son’s school only to find that the school had been flattened. There was no sign of life. He had often told his son, “No matter what, I’ll always be there for you when you need me!”
The father began feverishly removing rubble. Some told the father to go home, that there was no chance that anyone could be alive . He continued to dig.”
For thirty-six hours he dug. Then in the thirty-eighth hour, as he heaved away a heavy piece of rubble, he heard voices. “Armand!” he screamed.
“Dad! It’s me…Armand!” Then, “I told the other kids not to worry. I told them that if you were alive, you’d save me.” He saved his son Armand and thirteen others in a tent-like pocket.
(Armenian Earthquake December 7, 1988 - 25,000 deaths.)
You and I have a Father that is that dedicated to us. It is hard to believe, but we can start with the realization that God came to us in human form to show us what the heart of God is like.
“The Father and I are one,” Jesus told us (John 10:30). In Jesus’ words of healing, forgiveness and peace, we see God’s tenderness. By becoming human and tearing apart the veil of sin separating us from God, Jesus has reconciled us to the Father.
By making us his brothers and sisters, Christ brought us into God’s family. God has always wanted to share heaven with us. That is why he created us. Through the sacrifice of the cross Jesus opened the gates of heaven. Jesus left the Spirit with us so we can live in his love.
By careful study of the scripture, we can put together this letter from God to us. Every sentence reflects God’s word through Jesus and the sacred word of scripture:
A love letter from God to you
You may not know me, but I know everything about you.
I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
For you were made in my image.
I knew you even before you were conceived.
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
I knit you together in your mother’s womb.
And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
I love you with an everlasting love.
And I rejoice over you with singing.
I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart.
I am your greatest encourager.
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles.
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes.
And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you.
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me.
Nothing will ever separate you from my love again.
Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.
I am waiting for you.
Love, Your Dad
(579 words)