7. #Daddy'sHome!

"Daddy's home! Mommy! Daddy's home!

Everything's complete when my Daddy's home with me. Daddy's home and I think he's real neat, cause my Daddy's home and he loves me...Cause my Daddy's home...and he loves me!"

"Daddy's Home" is a portion of a song I wrote and had (okay, made!) my girls sing to their Dad on Father's day. I taped them year after year singing this song to their Dad regardless of their cries of protest and barely audible singing.

A good Dad is great comfort to a child's soul. He is big and strong and his love feels warm and protecting.

Unfortunately, there are many children, who, for a variety of reasons, do not have the love of a Father in their lives.

If you have never had a Dad, or your Dad was missing in your life or your Father was not a good Dad, it can be difficult to embrace God. We view God as the type of Father we had or did not have.

God was known by many names throughout history. These names include:

Jehovah Jireh - God will provide. (Genesis 22:13,14)

Jehovah Rapha - God that heals. (Exodus15:23)

Jehovah Niss'i - God our Banner [Protector] (Exodus 17:8-15)

Jehovah Shalom - God our Peace (Judges 6:24)

Jehovah Ra-ah - God is the way; my Shepherd (Psalms 23:1)

These names were revealed at different times to show God's many attributes and the blessings He provides for His people.

But, it wasn't until the day Jesus prayed, "Our Father, who art in Heaven..." That the God of the Universe was revealed to us as our Father and thus became a Father figure. Many people have morphed their feelings about their Father into how they feel about God.

But the last and final name revealed to us was not Father.

The last and final name given to us was "Abba" meaning...Daddy! ( Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6) You can go to Israel today and hear the children crying out Abba! Abba! for their Fathers' attention.

This final name was given to those who would come to Him through His Son Jesus and by doing so GOD becomes our Daddy.

We do not call cold, distant, unloving, cruel or absent Fathers - Daddy. Daddy is reserved for Fathers who love us, care for us and protect us. Daddy's dry our tears, embrace us and when he is near, we can relax and know we are safe. Daddy's stop what they are doing and turn their heads towards us when we cry out. This is how God wants His children to view Him. Yes, He is the God of the Universe! Yes, He is worthy of all our praise! Yes, He is Almighty! But he wants His children to boldly come to him without fear or restraint. He wants you to run to Him, He wants you to tell Him about your day, He wants you to know that when you call out to Him you have His attention and He is coming to your aid.

Jesus said that we can not enter the Kingdom of Heaven unless we come as little children. When we fully embrace God as our Daddy it changes us. We experience unspeakable joy, warm contentment, bold confidence, and a love that fills all the holes. We find ourselves in His Kingdom and we can boldly proclaim with confidence ...my Daddy's Home! ... and He LOVES me...

"Though my Father or Mother forsake me the Lord never will." ( Psalm 27:10)

"When I cried out for help, you answered me. You made be bold and energized."

(Psalm 138:3)

"For He is good. His LOVE endures forever." (Psalm 106:1)