One of the great lessons I learned several years ago in Colorado was my identity in the Father. I came back from there and shared some of those things with our church here. On that list were things like: I am forgiven. I am a child of God. I am the temple of the Holy Spirit.
This week, in my reading and reflection I was once again reminded of who I am in God's eyes. I have, in my life, been fatherless. I grew up with a dad, a very great dad. He taught me a lot about being a father and modeled what is was to be a grandfather. He help mold me into a Christian. I cannot begin to catalogue all that he did for me. But he passed away, early. I was 38. I know people who lost their fathers eariler than that, or didn't have a father at all. That said, I felt the connection with the fatherless. Even after more than 25 years, there are days when I wish I could talk to him.
I was reminded today, again, that I do have a Father. Not a step dad. I had one of those as well. He was a very good man. I appreciated him in my life, even as he came into my life as I was an adult. But step dad's are not dads. I have a Father. Not an adopted dad. I have been, I am, one of those. I love my adopted kids. When people ask me how many kids I have, I have 4. I sometimes have to explain some things when asked their ages, but they are my kids. Yet, there is always another someone out there. Another family, people I know but am not in the same kind of relationship.
I have a Father. And when I remember that my life becomes a whole lot easier. So when those moments come, and frankly I am in one right now, when I could really talk to my dad, I can. My Heavenly Father is listening and has all the resources I need to accomplish what He has called me to do. My life would be always be easier if I would just remember that.
Which leads me to share one of my favorite songs. I Have a Maker. The best part of the song is the second verse, I have a Father. You have one too.
