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I grew up with a dad who slept at home, but generally wasn\u2019t there for me or my brother. He was a good provider, and I was proud of his extraordinary physical strength, but he didn\u2019t come to my games or any school activities. I never had the experience of playing catch or going camping or fishing with him. He was a skilled mechanic, but didn\u2019t take the time to teach me how to work with my hands. He was always off to work or when he was home, working on something else or reading the newspaper. Beyond telling me to do various chores, he rarely spoke to me, and I had little access to him. While my mom was always there and approachable, it seemed my father wasn\u2019t interested in me.<\/p>\n
Everyone is different, but what happened to me was that my earthly father\u2019s absence made me all the more appreciative when I entered into a relationship with Jesus, and thereby into a relationship with my Father in Heaven. This Father loved me unconditionally, and despite His high expectations, He never told me to do anything that He didn\u2019t give me the strength to do, and was quick to forgive me when I failed, which I often did.<\/p>\n
I found God the Father 100% trustworthy, an infinitely powerful provider who created the universe itself, not only for His glory but also for my good, as His son. I believed Him to be, and do now more than ever, personally and genuinely interested in my life. He wired me a certain way, and when I use my gifts and abilities to serve Him, I am His apprentice, having learned at His feet, under His guidance. It is an honor and joy when I show some resemblance to my Father in Heaven. He means everything to me.<\/p>\n
I base these concepts not on wishful thinking, but on God\u2019s revealed Word, and its blood-bought promises. I am a child of God, born into His family: \u201cYet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God\u2014children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband\u2019s will, but born of God\u201d (John 1:12-13, NIV).<\/p>\n
But as if being born into His family weren\u2019t enough, Scripture says He also chose to adopt me: \u201cYou have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, \u2018Abba! Father!\u2019\u201d (Romans 8:15). He\u2019s not a distant and unapproachable Father. I am delighted to call Him \u201cAbba, Father.\u201d<\/p>\n
I always have access to Him, the King of the universe. His throne room is continuously available to me, His child, and He always has time for me: \u201cLet us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need\u201d\u00a0(Hebrews 4:16, KJV).<\/p>\n
While my earthly father often seemed impossible to please, my heavenly Father seems eager to say to me, \u201cWell done.\u201d Not only is He willing to spend time with me, He\u2019s also eager to do so, and went to incredible lengths that I might spend eternity living with Him in His place, with Him always there for me, and me always able to proudly serve under Him. It\u2019s my privilege to worship Him, and call Him my Father.<\/p>\n