Thursday, November 1, 2012

The Object of My Boast



The title for my blog...I know...it is puzzlingly long and odd to some; to others, it may appear a boast. 
~
My birth father was a public figure. He appeared on TV and Radio, daily; he narrated films that I would watch in school; he authored a book. Everyone in town knew his name, his face, and his voice.

When I was 10, he walked out on my mom, two sons and two daughters.  I only saw him in person three times after that.  But still, whenever I was introduced to someone for the first time, they would hear my name, they would look at me and ask:
 “Is so-and-so your father?”  What do you say to that?  What would YOU say? I even looked like him.
I said yes, always wondering if they were going to ask me about him...things I couldn't answer.

I didn't know him.  Sure, he could be seen on the TV and heard on the radio every day!  But I didn't know him.

Looking back, I can see the void he left in my life.

When I was 30, I met the King of Heaven and was adopted into his family. A few years later, while driving my car -- just a regular kind of day -- He spoke to my heart, saying,
 "Do you know that you trust those strangers coming at you in those cars, more than you trust me?"   
I didn't know it then, but He was about to teach me to trust Him in a way I would never have chosen. My prince would be out of work for one long year. The cupboards would be bare, and then filled full and overflowing. The house would be almost lost, then saved at a reduced payment. The mail would bring perfectly timed gifts. Oh, I could tell stories of that year!

Like my real father, my adoptive Father is a public figure -- almost everybody knows who He is. Everyone on earth has viewed His gallery of artwork. Some know His voice. He authored 66 books. But, unlike my earthly father, He has promised never to leave me, never to leave a void.  All I have to do is Trust and Obey Him. And He has shown himself to be trustworthy.

When asked, I can tell LOTS and LOTS about my adoptive Father! And the older I get, the more I trust him; and the more I trust, the more I follow his instructions; and the more I follow his lead, the more I look like Him and the less I look like my other dad. 

Does the title make sense now?

I admit -- it IS a boast! (I could never boast about the other dad.  He wasn't worthy of my boast.) My adoptive father wants me to boast about His deeds, His love, His faithfulness! He is boastworthy! ( new word!)
“...but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:24
On this first day of the month of Thanks-Giving, I give thanks to God for the Grace he has shown me, the Faithfulness he has proven, the Love he bestows. 

Thank you, Father!
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15 comments:

  1. Your post was precious. I am sorry about your earthly father and not knowing him that well, but your words about our Heavenly Father are so true and wonderful! Thank you for sharing this story. Have a lovely day, friend!

    Hugs,
    Stephanie

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    1. Thanks, Stephanie. I appreciate your comment and your blessing.

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  2. Beautifully told. Beautifully lived.

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    1. Praise be to God the Almighty. Thank you, my sister, for sharing your faith with all of us.

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  3. God bless you for sharing your experience and heart! My earthly father who I loved very much came in and out of my life often. This distorted my image of my heavenly Father as well as affected my self image. I have struggled with negative self image for 5 decades but am now just truly realizing that very truth that Jesus the King of Kings really resides in me! He is my true Father and wants me to truly get to know Him intimately. Intimacy = in-to-me-see. God Bless you again for sharing your heart!

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    1. Oh, Phyllis...I love that: In-to-me-see.

      May our Father continue to bless us with even more understanding of our worth 'in him" and our placement as daughters in his Kingdom.

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  4. The most beautiful story, from a beautiful daughter of the King. Happy and sad tears stream down my face right now, but mostly happy and because of you, I can feel the Holy Spirit surrounding us with LOVE.

    Thanks for sharing, Becky, my sister in Christ.

    Sheila

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  5. Thank you for blessing us with your story of the love that the King of Kings has for his precious daughter.

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    1. Thank you for taking the time to leave your kind comment, Julia.

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  6. I had a different situation with my earthy father, yet very similar in the 'void' aspect. He was there physically and financially, but not mentally or emotionally. Thanks to my mom, I grew up in a spiritual household, with Jesus at the center. However, my parents had differing opinions on what a relationship with God is. I took more to my mom's belief's in the power of having an intimate relationship with Jesus, thus having an intimate relationship with the Father. I believe in relinquishing control to God, having faith in His ability to provide, protect, and love. I know that the more I focus on God, praise God, worship God, the easier it is to obey God, to know when to act for God and when to wait on God. My earthy father believed in being in control, that God had no time for our piddly problems, confining Him in a box. This was about the time that I realized how much I was living to gain his approval and knowing I never would. I have relied heavily on The Father my entire life, but just over two years ago, He gave me a choice: my father, or my Father. And I chose my Father in Heaven. I also saw why I had to let go of my earthly father: the conflict was becoming so that there was no way to continue living for God, while trying to please my father--I will never please that man. I no longer have any contact with him, and the peace that has transpired since...Let's just say, I am in continual awe of God the Father. And I owe everything to Him. Glory be to God Almighty!!!

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  7. Thank you for taking the time to read and share your heart. People (we) are flawed and will fail and disappoint. I hope (and pray) that someday you are able to share your love with your earthly father again. God bless you and your journey.

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"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." Love never fails

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An Intimate Message from God to You:

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad.... ...Almighty God

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