bless me, daddy ...

in yesterday’s post, i noted how it melts my heart when the boys that i used to nanny say my name. i especially love that when one of them says it, it sounds like he’s saying my nickname. he runs up to me, gives me a hug, and in his precious little voice says, “hi, c-tine.” there is such sweetness in that recognition and familiarity.

as i wrote about it last night, i was struck by how God must feel the same way. He loves to hear us say His name, especially when we speak to Him familiarly. that’s not to say that we shouldn’t give Him the honor and respect that He deserves. but just like an earthly father longs to hear his child call him daddy and wrap her arms around his neck, so does our heavenly Father long for us to come to Him as a child, calling out to and running to Him throughout the day, not because of what He can give us, but just because we want to be in His presence. “hi, daddy! i love you! watch what i can do!” what delight that brings His heart.

i think about the first time that michael played the song ‘Abba, Father’ during a prayer meeting. as he sang about us laying our heads against the Father’s heart, i got such a strong picture of how, as His children, the blood that makes His heart beat is the same blood that flows through us. and the more we sit with our head on His chest, the more our heartbeat will start to resemble His - the more that what stirs His heart to compassion will start pulsing through our veins, as well. our character will more closely resemble His, and we will start loving the way that He loves.

“love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (luke 6:35-36)

last night at emanate, alyn told a story about how he had placed his palm against his daughter’s and spoken a blessing over her. then his other daughter reached out her little palm and said, “bless me daddy.” his point was that when we hear of other people receiving blessings, so often our response is to get jealous. but it’s not that God doesn’t want to give us one. His heart is always to bless His children.



in john 14:18, Jesus promises, “i will not leave you as orphans; i will come to you.

“God sent forth His Son ... so that He might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, [by which we can cry] ‘Abba! Father!’ therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.” (galatians 4:4-7)

God is not looking for pomp and circumstance. we bring such delight to His heart just by saying His name that He cannot help but lavish us with good things. all that He has is ours. we need only ask.