Journal Entry ~ 12/24/18

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  - Isaiah 9:6

Everlasting Father. A father is someone who cares deeply for his children, always putting their needs above his own. A father fiercely  protects their child from harm, swooping in to fight their battles for them. At the same time, a father will allow their child to experience pain as discipline to teach and grow them. A father always seeks the good of his children even when the children don’t understand. A father is loyal and faithful, always showing up when their children need them. A father is forgiving, never recalling an offense or holding it against their child. A father is attentive, always offering an ear to listen, always in tune to their children’s needs. A father is an encourager, through spoken and unspoken word, children always know their father has their back. They are their children’s persistent cheerleader, always rooting for them and never giving up. A father is hopeful and strong in difficult times. When the family needs strength, they can draw on a father’s unending supply of faith. And a father loves their children, with an unending, steadfast, unconditional love. 

These are the things that define what a father should be. Many of us do not have earthly fathers with these same qualities, making it difficult for us to trust and surrender to a Heavenly Father. When we’ve had challenging relationships with our earthly fathers, when our fathers have been abusive, neglectful, or failed to love and protect us as they should have, we can assign those negative attributes to God. We doubt that He is working for our good, we think that He has forgotten us, we don’t believe He truly loves us as we are. 

It can be so difficult to surrender and trust in our Heavenly Father when our earthly fathers have failed us. But God the Father never fails us. Jesus came down from heaven to show us what a relationship with our Father should look like. His love for us is steadfast and pursuing, His faithfulness to us is abiding and unending, His provision care for us is unchanging and secure, His strength is solid. There is nothing temporary or passing about the security we can find in Him. 

And since our Father is Everlasting, we can count on these things forever. He will never change. 

What a gift we have been given for Christmas - we have an Everlasting Father. 


Press on~ you are loved 💗

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