Love that longs for us! B- ro. D.G.S Dhinakaran

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18)
The Lord taught us to call God as our Father because through Jesus we have become children of God (Romans 8:16). Jesus explained the love of the Father when He illustrated the story of the prodigal son. Our God longs for us as a father longs to carry his child in his arms. When we run to God in prayer, God delights in listening to us in order to answer us. He is a good Father. Jesus said in Matthew 7:11, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”. Yes, our heavenly Father is rich in goodness and we can boldly approach Him without fear. His heart is full of love for us.

Once, I was critically ill and admitted in the hospital. I was undergoing treatment there for more than a month. That time my granddaughter Sharon was 2 years old.  She was waiting for me every day and became weary. She began to miss me. She always carried with her a copy of my photo. Eventually she lost her patience and began to ask “Where is grandpa?”. One day my daughter Evangeline brought her to the hospital. As soon as she saw me, she came running to me. Doctors advised me not to lift her up as I was too weak and my hands were trembling and as she should not get infected. Yet, again she came back and came running to me. The nurses carried her away. After a while, when nobody was expecting, she came running towards me, crying out, “Grandpa lift me up”. Automatically, I took her in my arms with trembling and embraced her and kissed her. She sat like a queen on my lap.

The day, the little children would have cried out to Jesus, “Lift me up”, He would have gladly lifted them up and kissed them. Though they were small children, He did not shun them but loved them dearly. Whatever is our age, sometimes, when we think of our father or mother, we feel, ‘how nice it would be if they are here today’! All of us have a heavenly Father. He says, “I shall be a Father to you. You shall be my sons and daughter” (2 Corinthians 6:18). Perhaps you are 70 years old. Yet, the Lord calls you, ‘My Son/My daughter’. When you look up to Him, He will come near you. You can feel His loving touch.

Prayer:
Loving Father in Heaven,

I thank you for your love and for all the blessings You have showered upon me. Lord, I am sorry if I have hurt you with words and deeds. I know you still see me as your child and I come to you for a change of heart. Help me to obey you and make your heart delight in me. Be near me and let me always feel Your Presence with me.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen.