For nearly 10 years our work centered around children living in something like an orphanage – government-run homes. Their stories of rejection touched my heart in a deep way and maybe because of the pain in my heart, I could relate to theirs.
These children, who were either abandoned by their parents or taken from them for neglect or abuse, knew rejection in a way I’d never experienced. We’d spend a week with them at camp – loving on them – trying to speak into their little hearts. Though the very people who were supposed to love them could not, our Heavenly Father loved them and so did we.
During worship times, some of the kids would just cry and cry. The love of God was touching them in deep places of pain. I still remember the little boy, who said he’d like to stay at camp forever. He felt loved and accepted.
And I guess that’s a longing in all of our hearts – to know that we are loved and accepted just as we are with no strings attached.
My youngest, who was born in Czechia, came home one day and asked,
“I’m Czech, right Mommy?”
Like his sisters, he’d come to the realization that everyone around us is Czech and he wanted to fit in and be like everyone else.
We had a chat. No, he wasn’t. His Daddy is an American cowboy and his Mommy a Peruvian Indian. And while these things are good, I told him, God created him to be His child.
Children look to their fathers for their identity, their self-worth. I found that it doesn’t change when you grow up. You still want your Daddy to say, “Well done. I’m proud of you. ”
And while it would be nice to receive that affirmation from our earthly fathers, hearing our Heavenly Father say that in our hearts surpasses it all.
As this week comes to an end, I want to be reminded once again of my Heavenly Father’s great love for us. And this song by Matt Redman — The Father’s Song – does just that. May you feel His love enfold you.
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