My church prays. Every Wednesday evening, the adults split up into small groups to pray for issues facing folks in the church, issues they're facing, issues our nation faces. Issues.
Tonight, I had the honor to engage in spiritual battle (prayer - Ephesians 6) with Arnoldo and Mark.As Mark began to pray, he thanked God for a special situation that he encountered at work. Mark is a fire fighter at a nearby Air Force base, and during a quiet moment in the station the other day, he began to think of his children, his son, Nicholas, and his brand new baby daughter, Elizabeth. As he thought about his kids, a big smile grew across his face.
In that moment, God got his attention. Mark came to believe what he knew to be true, that God loves His children. That God loves him, Mark, in a way far greater than Mark could ever love his kids. As he smiled about his kids, he imagined God smiling about him. The thought stole his breath. His prayer thanked God for lavishing His love upon us and for adopting us, a group of folks who did not deserve it.
I get stuck on God's justice. God is just. He is. And those who stand in rebellion against Him and do not accept the restitution provided by His Son will know the hot fire of God's justice and His wrath.
But to those who are His, God in His word speaks of a paternal love the blows away the affection of the best dad on the planet (best mom, too). If you haven't read through the story of the Prodigal Son lately, give it a go (here) and pay special attention to the love of the dad...to both sons.
How sweet it was for my soul to hear one father offer such heartfelt thanks to his Eternal Father...and really appreciate what that meant.
(Pictured Mark & Elizabeth)
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