A father is always a father

I'm“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing—you’re at least decent to your own children. And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?” (Luke 11:10-13 MSG)

I had a "text" conversation with my daughters the other night. It gave me a true life example of what God goes through every day of my life. My youngest daughter is in the Hospital over 1000 miles away. My middle daughter is dealing with family illness, being 400 miles away from home, and a friend dealing with a family member that tried to commit suicide. My oldest is struggling with family issues, anxiety about a sick relative, crazy busy schedule work, life with a growing family, and a son 1500 miles away at college. I need to be with all of them but can't. All I can do is put them in the hands of my loving savior, and let him be their strength.

God came down to be with us because he just couldn't stand our suffering a moment longer. He sent his son to save us, mostly from ourselves. But, even now, it grieves him when we are in pain. He wants us to call out to him so he can heal and protect us. He longs to be with us, for us to want to be with him. He decided to send the Holy Spirit to help until we can be with him permanently. We just have to call on him.

 God aches for his children. He feels every ounce of pain and struggle that we do. Just like me and my daughters. A father is always a father.

Dear gracious Heavenly Father, please stand close to each of my daughters. You know their needs. You know their pains and the trials of this life. Be with each family, husband, and child to draw them closer to you. Guide them through the day, help them get rest. Heal the illnesses and eliminate the stresses they encounter. Defeat the evil in their path. Wrap your arms around them and hold them close for me. You know my fatherly thoughts. Take my place as the ultimate father. Let them know you're their with them always. Comfort them and love them in ways only you can. In your great and powerfully holy name. Amen!

I miss my daughters!

1 Thessalonians 3 (The Message)

 ^1-2So when we couldn't stand being separated from you any longer and could find no way to visit you ourselves, we stayed in Athens and sent Timothy to get you up and about, cheering you on so you wouldn't be discouraged by these hard times. He's a brother and companion in the faith, God's man in spreading the Message, preaching Christ.

These verses made me think of my daughters.  Kelley is living in North Carolina 10 hours away.  Lindsae is 2 hours away in Greenfield, and McKenzie is an hour away in Berne.  I can't stand being separated from them. I just got to see McKenzie and Lindsae  yesterday for a short time.  But, I haven't seen Kelley in such a long time.  As your kids grow up you get used to them being around all the time. Then when they leave the nest, you think you will adjust and you do, for the most part.  But, you still miss them. I know I can't be with them all the time, but I do have a valuable tool that gives me a sense of peace about being separated. That tool is prayer.  Nearly every night I pray for them.  Sometimes very specifically.  Other times I pray in general terms. I always have one specific request. I ask God to send christians into their daily lives.  Just like Paul sent Timothy when he couldn't go the Thessalonica.  I pray constantly that God will send his people to "Cheer them up" when things get difficult.  I pray that people will come into their lives that will keep them from being discouraged in hard  times. I know that I can't always be there for them, but God can.  He knows exactly what's going on in their daily lives.  He knows there joys, sadnesses, needs and wants.  I have seen his mighty hand in my life and the lives of my family.  I get so excited when I get to hear how their lives are going and then I see that God's hand has been at work. He has been so faithful in protecting them.  They have had their share of troubles and hard times, but every single time they do, I can sense his presence and his divine guidance in getting them through the troubles.

Dear Lord, Thank you for sending angels to protect my daughters and their families.  i know you Love them dearly and are active in guiding them through life.  Thank  you for hearing my prayers.  Thank You for being with them when I can't.  Speak to their hearts, Lord.  Show them your love in a special and meaningful way. Draw them closer to you. In your great name I pray, Amen!