A Good, Good Father

A frantic scream broke the afternoon stillness. I immediately tried to diagnose the sound – my littlest was either angry or hurt. Following the direction of the crying, I found her in her daddy’s arms. He was carrying her toward the bathroom where he would wash and dress the cut she’d received when her foot was under the door she tried to close.

She was crying hysterically, writhing against the strong arms that held her.

She was in pain.

She was mad.

She was afraid.

She didn’t want to be carried by the “doctor.” She didn’t want him to clean it. And she certainly didn’t want a Band-Aid. (Unlike most kids, she seems to think Band-Aids contribute to her pain.)

But despite her efforts to resist, her daddy did what was best for her. He cleaned and doctored the little cut, all the while assuring her of his love.

After she calmed down, we had a heart-to-heart talk. I asked her the following questions –

“Do you trust your daddy? Does Daddy take good care of you? Does he love you? Protect you? Want the best for you?” She answered yes to each question, slowly realizing that her daddy’s actions had come from his love for her.

As we talked, I was struck by how very much this child is like her mother. I often respond to my heavenly Daddy in similar ways.

I get angry when life hurts, as if the pains of this human existence are His fault.

I sometimes pull away when He draws me close for comfort.

I doubt His intentions – His love and His goodness.

I’m afraid of His efforts to cleanse, heal and protect.

I want to leave the pain alone, instead of submitting to His cleaning, healing hands.

As a mother, I saw my baby girl’s situation so clearly – her daddy loves her and would do what was best for her, not matter how she fought him. And yet it could have been a moment of tender comfort and affection, if she had trusted her daddy’s heart.

As a follower of Jesus, I want to trust His heart.

It’s a matter of faith.

“…I took them up in My arms. But they did not realize I was the one who took care of them. I led them with kindness and love. I was to them like a person who lifts a little child to their cheek. I bent down and fed them” (Hosea 11:3-4).

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing” (Zeph 3:17).

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28).

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jer 29:11).

The One who takes care with kindness and love.

He is a good, good Father. His intentions toward us are kind (see Eph 1). He heals and gives restoration. He brings beauty out of ashes. He creates mosaic masterpieces out of broken, shattered lives.

All He does is good.

I want to trust Him. I choose to trust Him. Will you?

How do you remind your heart of truth when doubts flood your soul? Do you have a favorite Bible verse that comforts and reassures you in times of pain? Please join the conversation! I’d love to hear!

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