Fatherly words
I was part of a Bible Study Fellowship group - doing Phillipians - (did the last one this week) which in some ways was irritating (lots of rules and more concern about teaching you WHAT to think and not HOW!) but which has helped me to meditate in area of trusting God in the face of the messy reality.

We were asked to consider what we would choose: to be in Heaven with the Lord or to remain. The only good reason I could come up for remaining on earth was this: when we are in Heaven we will have no choices between good and evil and therefore we wont' be able to bring honour to Him by triumphing in adversity (or, since that sounds so very grand!, rather to stick at doing what is right and Trusting when it all seems so messy....).

I was finding it a bit difficult to listen to the lecture (it was late!!) and it struck me that there are several things the Lord says to me (now you know I am not a Charismatic, and don't go in for 'words from the Lord', but I am confident that I am chosen by Him and he loves me..) I imagine these coming from that 'pleasant countenance' with which my Father beholds the upright (Psalm 11) - amazing that that includes ME !!!!!

viz. "I love you."
"I understand."
"You're so funny, won't you ever 'get it'!" "Hell-o-o-o-o-o-!!"
"Delight yourself in ME"
"I'm listening."
"I'm unbelievably rich, believe me."
"Weren't you listening?"
"Trust me"
"I still love you!"
"Follow me."
"Yes."
"No."
"Listen!"
"Look!"
"Here, let me help."
"Be strong and very courageous" (he only says that to the scardey-cats!!!)
"Hey, did you SEE that?"
(one of my very favourites!!!....) "Meet my good friend so and so you'll LOVE her/him."
"I'm waiting....."
"Seriously!!"
"I still love you..."
"I CAN do it."

(and, in the end, the one which has to be the supreme blessing to anyone's ears) "WELCOME HOME!!!!"
Now of course I know that we have the WHOLE Bible to find out what God says but I struggle to maintain a confidence in the good-fatherly kindness towards me. Those of us who haven't experienced an unselfish loving Father who deals tenderly and compassionately with us - rather than on the basis of 'I love you because you have been 'good' ' (and conversely don't feel kind towards you because you haven' t matched up to my idea of what is right) will have difficulty living our lives in a framework of GRACE - which is so important esp. when dealing with our own children. I often wonder what kind of picture of the character of God I am modelling to those precious little ones I spend my days with.....

PRAISE THE LORD - He is SO patient and kind towards such frail and feeble children of flesh as me!!!