daddy

The past couple of days I've been thinking about a connection here... When Jesus was dying on the cross he cried out in Aramaic to God the Father "Abba Father"... the translation for Abba is "Daddy". If we should look at God as "Daddy" instead of just a powerful God what would that mean? Well, I've been watching AJ and myself with Drew the past couple of days while pondering that question and here's what I've come up with (I'm using AJ in these examples just because of the "Daddy" connection... obviously you could substitute me in here as well).

1. AJ delights in Drew... it doesn't matter if Drew can't speak or think logically enough to solve 2+2 or even know how to open a cabinet door without his walker bumping into it... whatever he does is special because it's he's our child. We know we won't love Drew more when he knows advanced things like how to use a scientific calculator (he tries now but for some reason an ERROR message keeps coming onto the screen) or when he can cook a gourmet meal. And isn't this the way our Abba Father is? He delights in us, no matter our abilities, because we are his and he made us. He doesn't care if I, or AJ or Drew will get the Nobel Peace Prize or solve world hunger because someone he made with those abilities will do those things. He wants us to be exactly who he made us because that is how we can best be his child. We would never want to see Drew trying to be someone other than who he is because who he is is precious.
2. A Daddy finds life and energy in his son (or daughter!). It's been great for me to watch AJ when he comes home from work and see how much excitement and energy he gets from being with Drew... and to see how Drew responds to a Father who is delighted to see him.Our Father wants us to know that he is so energized by us, his children, and that he is so in love with us... in an even greater way than AJ shows to Drew when he plays with him.
3. AJ will do anything to protect Drew and make him feel safe and secure. Drew has been waking up screaming in the middle of the night lately... teeth are coming in. It seems as if all Drew wants is his mom or dad to sit with him and snuggle him and we treasure the time (even if it is 2:30am) to just hold him and love on him as he isn't like that normally (he's normally a wild rascal who is all over the place in his walker and trying to climb the stairs the instant we let him crawl). I've been thinking about how God is a protector especially since AJ's sister, Meredith, was put on the list to receive a heart transplant. He knows what is best for Meredith and for this family. He knows exactly what is going to happen next week and next year for Meredith... and that is something I take great courage in... a God who treasures us and will protect us through tricky situations (does it mean everything will work exactly according to Meredith's plan? Not necessarily. But it does mean that he cares deeply about Meredith every step of the process).
4. AJ loves to teach Drew things that will help him to grow up... like how to climb the stairs, how to eat more solid grown-up food or how to play a simple game of chase (this will help him on the playground, not so much in the boardroom. :)) But if Drew wanted to eat just his bottle all day we wouldn't let him because we know better than him and we know what he needs. I really love the aspect of God that loves us the way we are but won't let us stay there if there are things that need to change. He is looking out for our best interests at all times... and not just our best interests right at that moment, but because he knows the future he knows how our choices now can effect who we are later.
5. Last night we sat down for dinner and AJ was making silly noises to Drew and Drew was trying to copy him, it was adorable and so sweet to watch (I need to charge the video camera, Mom, and didn't capture it. :( ). God wants us to copy him, and delights when we do. He wants us to live the way he taught us!

Those are all the thoughts my brain is going to process this morning because the little guy just woke up! :) Have a great day!