Earlier today, another Christian brother and I joined Ed for lunch to discuss some important ministry items.  Our meeting lasted a little more than an hour, and I praise the Lord for all that we got accomplished in that short period of time.  But I also thank the Lord for the additional blessing He gave me, and that was to see the love of a father for his baby girl Rebecca.  A few things stuck out to me:

- He smiled on her repeatedly throughout the meal.

- He held her closely and played with her gently.

- He informed us that she would be four months old on August 9.

- He told us what a joy she was and how much he loved being a dad.

- As we left, Ed stayed behind an extra moment to tend to his daughter’s needs.

I could say more, but these expressions of love were, to me, a wonderful reminder of the love that our heavenly Father has for each one of His children.

- He makes His face to shine upon us.

- He holds us close and has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.

- He knows and celebrates the day that each one of us became His adopted son or daughter through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

- He rejoices over us, His children.

- He lovingly, graciously, and patiently tends to our individual needs.

Again, more could be said.  But hopefully you get the point.  

You know, there was something that Ed said near the end of the meal that showed the superiority of our heavenly Father’s love over that of the best earthly father’s love. ¬†After some concentrated discussion, Ed remarked something like, “Wow, Rebekah has been so quiet, I forgot that she was sitting here!” ¬†Yet it’s amazing to think that with millions of adopted sons and daughters all over the world, no matter where they are or what they’re doing or not doing, God knows each one intimately. ¬†In the course of directing all human affairs and every molecule in the universe, God never once forgets about a single child of His – not even for a nanosecond! ¬†We are always on His mind; He has us always in His heart.

Often I find myself praying that I would be the kind of father to my children that my heavenly Father is to me. ¬†But today I was also reminded that we can thank the Lord for giving us, through parenting, a reflection of our heavenly Father’s love for us. ¬†His is a perfect love, one that is infinite, unconditional, and eternal. ¬†“Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Romans 8:38-39 CEV).