Good Father

Bible Reading: Psalm 27:7-14

Natasha slipped off her backpack with a sigh and took a warm chocolate chip cookie from the plate in front of her.

“How was your sleepover at Tracy’s?” Mom asked, pulling off her oven mitts.

“It was great,” Natasha mumbled through a bite.

“Then why the long face?” Mom plopped down on the stool next to her daughter.

Natasha sighed. “Mom, it was too great. Tracy’s family is just, well…perfect. Especially her dad. He played a board game with us and even made us pancakes in the morning. It’s just not fair. How come she has a dad who loves her and cares about her, and I don’t?” Tears welled up in Natasha’s eyes, threatening to spill over.

Mom put her arm around Natasha and gave her a gentle squeeze. “Oh, Nat, I’m so sorry. You absolutely deserve to have a father here on earth who loves and cares for you. People on earth will always let us down. But you know, you have a Father in heaven who loves you every bit as much as Tracy’s dad loves her, and even more.”

Natasha sniffled. “Will you remind me how God loves me as a Father?”

Mom pulled her worn Bible off the counter and opened it. “Psalm 68:5—‘A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God.’ 1 John 3:1—‘What great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!’” Mom looked into Natasha’s eyes with tears glistening in her own. “Oh, sweetie, I know it’s tough not to have a father here on this earth who is involved in your life. But never forget that God is the best Father you could ever have. He sacrificed His own Son so you could be His child, and He won’t ever leave you or abandon you.”

Natasha wiped the tears off her cheeks. “Thanks, Mom. I know it’s not easy for you either. Good thing we have Jesus to lean on; I don’t know what we would do without Him!”

“Probably wallow in a bathtub full of milk and cookies,” Mom teased.

“Yum!” Natasha giggled and took a bite of her cookie. “I think that’s one of the most delicious ideas I’ve ever heard!” – Savannah Coleman

How About You?

Do you struggle with the pain of not having a caring or involved mother or father in your life? In this life, people will let us down. Jesus said that in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33). But we can remember that because of Jesus’ sacrifice, God is always with us as our heavenly Father. He loves to listen to us and encourage us, just like a good earthly father should.

Today’s Key Verse:
Psalm 10:17-18 You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

God is our good heavenly Father