“Papa is strong!” He declared, adding as much depth as his two-year-old voice would allow and clenching his fists, holding his arms up in the typical fashion to show strength.
My husband sat at the end of the table.
Our grandson sat on his mother’s lap, just next to Papa.
I was across the dining table from our daughter and grandson.
My husband didn’t hear his declaration, he was looking at work emails and other conversations were happening, so I was certain our grandson’s voice blended into the pleasant chatter.
So, Bubba said it again.
“Papa is strong!” With all the inflection and emotion of the first.
But he didn’t pause for a response this time.
Instead he repeated himself three times, one after another, all the time focused upon my husband.
He still didn’t hear him, so I interrupted.
“Sweetheart, did you hear Bubba? He’s talking to you.” I smiled at my husband, knowing he’d not want to miss this.
“No, I’m sorry,” he turned. “Sorry, Buddy, what was that?”
“Can you tell Papa what you said again?” Our daughter prompted.
Bubba realized he had Papa’s attention, so he smiled broadly before speaking again.
“Papa is strong!” He burst out pumping his arms to show his enthusiasm.
My husband smiled as only a blessed Papa can.
Bubba was questioned by his mother, “What about Daddy?” And they turned to face the opposite end of the table where his father sat.
“Daddy is strong!” “Daddy is strong!” “Daddy is strong!”
And we all laughed and agreed with him.
Bubba was content with his announcement being so well received and conversation returned.
Our daughter and husband took the little ones home after dinner.
Our family went to our church’s Movie Night.
We watched Show Me the Father by the Kendrick brothers.
If you’ve not seen it, I’d recommend it, it was wonderful.
It’s not a film for entertainment, but rather for teaching and encouragement.
It’s about fatherhood.
This morning in prayer, I spoke with the Lord about the emotions the movie brought up in my heart.
He reminded me of our grandson’s declaration at dinner.
Then, He reminded me of scripture.
Psalm 68:5 KJV — A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
Titus 3:7 KJV — That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Romans 8:17 KJV — And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
For the Christ follower, we are joint heirs with Jesus and can call to our Heavenly Father just as Christ did.
That precious child’s security in his father and grandfather is only a glimmer of the safety our souls find in the salvation granted by our Heavenly Father through the sacrifice of His Son.
Children long to have security in the strength and protection of their birth father, and whether we realize it or not that same longing resides in every heart who has yet to find safety for their souls in a personal relationship with their Heavenly Father.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your sacrifice. Thank You for Your obedience to Your Heavenly Father through which You both suffered and died to save me. Thank You for Your Resurrection! Thank You for the beauty I enjoy in Your salvation and the love of my Heavenly Father. Lord, for those whose experience with a father on Earth has been painful, even tragic, I humbly request that You reach them where they are and heal them completely. Let them see the truth, that You are not like us, You are perfect, holy, righteous, just. Please let their hearts be turned toward You and find healing from the pain of broken relationships and unfaithful people. Lord, let those who know You and are known by You, those who are fathers right now live honorably. Give them wisdom, guidance, and understanding to raise children who will call upon Your name because they want to emulate their father, because they want the same relationship with You that their father has. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You for showing us the Father. In Your name, Lord, I pray. Amen.
patientlyhopeful 