March 26

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

If you have never known the depth of a Father’s love—the kind of love that fights for you, protects you, believes the best for you and in you, never gives up, and never runs out or runs away—you can know that now in your Heavenly Father’s deep and abiding love for you.

Fathers are meant to mould and shape us, to lead and gently guide us in the ways of life. Healthy dads are able to bring forth the image of God in us, releasing us into the fullness of all that God created and called us to be. For some of us, that may have been one of the places of our greatest joy, and for others, perhaps a source of our deepest sorrow and pain.

However, God, Who is Father over all the earth, has always been a loving Father to you—even when you did not know this was true. He is the kindest Poppa possible, and His heart is 100 percent for you and focused on you.

He was loving you even when you could not love yourself, caring for you when you did not care. He knows the love you have longed and looked for—the ways you have loved and lost. He knows the things that break your heart, and the hearts you may have broken too. He understands the hopes, the dreams, the sorrows and regrets, the shame and the sadness—and He is right there with you, completely committed and constantly caring for you and for all things concerning you. Nothing can change that truth—no, not one thing.

He has wrapped you in goodness and eternal beauty and presses you into His heart. You are safe there, cherished one—always. He will never relax His loving hold on you or ever let you go! You are your Father’s favourite, and His age-enduring, limitless, understanding, and eternal love is available in unending measure for you, deeply and divinely loved.

Prayer:

Precious Father, gracious God,

What comfort these words bring—that You have taken me up, adopted me as Your child, given me Your Name, and called me Your own.

You are a good Father—gentle and kind, loving and leading, guiding and protecting, providing for every need.

I receive today, Lord, the fullness of Your love and care. Show me the majesty of Your miracles today as I rest my heart in Yours. Glorious God, You are Father over the whole world, and over my heart and my world, too!

For all of that, and so much more, I love You.