Читать книгу 52 Weeks of Ordinary People - Extraordinary God - Jody Neufeld - Страница 18

Week 11

You had my mother give birth to me. You made me trust you while I was just a baby. I have leaned on you since the day I was born; you have been my God since my mother gave me birth. Psalm 22:9-10 (NCV)

I have been reading a book, Experiencing the Father’s Embrace by Jack Frost. He and his wife minister to pastors and leadership, having a vision that we would all ‘see’ the total love that our Father has for us. One of the anonymous stories he relates was when a couple came for prayer with two small sons. The woman wept as she confessed that she did not know how to love. She had never experienced the unconditional love of a father and so she had no point of reference to give the same to her children. Her five-year-old son innocently turned to her and told her that he would show her how to love.

I am easily frustrated when I am asked to do something I don’t know how to do. I sense this mother was feeling that kind of frustration. Jesus knew I would have days like that and He spoke words just for those times.

At that time the followers came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Jesus called a little child to him and stood the child before his followers. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you must change and become like little children. Otherwise, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. The greatest person in the kingdom of heaven is the one who makes himself humble like this child.” Matthew 18:1-4 (NCV)

When a child doesn’t know something, he/she will tug on your sleeve and ASK for help! It is a simple equation to them – I don’t know so I ask someone who does and then I’ll know. Period.

When I do not know how to receive the Father’s love, I can take my clue from someone who does, a child, and just hold my arms out and take it in. When a child receives a parent’s love, there are no barriers or preconceived ideas about how it will be delivered, he/she just knows it’s coming and they hold their arms wide open and just receive it!

When I do not know how to give the Father’s love, I can take my clue from someone who does, Jesus, who like a child, throws His arms out without any barriers or preconceived ideas about how it will flow out, and He just lets it happen!

Receiving must come before the giving and it is so, SO important that I take the time to allow my Father to pour out His love on me. I need nutrients for my physical body. I need ‘Father love’ for my spiritual life.

Let’s just stop and be quiet and receive our Heavenly Father’s love. Shhh.

Suggestion: Sit for at least five minutes quietly, listening.

Read Jeremiah 31:3 and Psalm 139