ONLINE CHURCH BULLETIN

A Father

It's 2:35 a.m. Friday morning and I'm wide awake. The only sound is the click of the keyboard, the only light is the street light out the window, the moon is hid tonight. I'm not usually up this time of the morning, but tonight is different.
I sit here all ajolt, wide awake, a tear in my eye. Moments ago my boy woke up screaming. It'd been a big day for a little boy who had just turned four today: He had a nightmare, his first as far as I remember, nothing spectacular, he said he felt like something was biting him. He was back asleep in no time flat, but I lay there holding him,. sorry he had even had to hurt a little. Holding him tight, reassuring him (or is .it me) that nothing would bite him  this bight.  What is  God like? Well, if I undertand Jesus words; "If ye then, being evil, know bow to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:11). .."And he  said, A certain man had two sons": (Luke- 18) He's like a father. Tonight, this moment means more to me than ever before.

If God is a father. How many nights has He stayed up with me on his mind? How often He must have wanted to .assure me "it'll be alright, nothing can separate you from me" or, "Go on to sleep, I'll be right here"? Has he shivered when I hurt, has he shed a tear over my fear? But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love  “wherewith he loved. us" (Ephesians 2:4). The psalmist must have felt -this, "Yea, though I walk- through the valley of the shadow of -death, I will fear no evil:  for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." (Psalms 23:4)

When Jesus spoke of not worrying, it was from a knowledge  of compassion. (Matthew 5:25-34).  Peter indeed had experienced this total concern when he pened, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for your" Peter 5:7).  So did .Paul:- "...I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  (Philippians 4:4). 

1 sit here all ajolt, wide awake, a teat in my eye, but g deeper understanding of the Father in my heart and a prayer. on my lips. "Thank you dear God for “so” loving me. Help me to never again quake for Thou art in control.”

Dale Jerkins

Submitted by:
For His Cause,
Tim Woodward