Recently, God has been pressing in on me, teaching me to relate to Him as my Father. This can be difficult for us self-sufficient adults. We think, I'm a mom. I don't need a father anymore. It can also be difficult because we often don't relate to our earthly fathers in the most healthy ways, so we have no basis for understanding how this relationship should work. But, I'm learning to be a child again. I'm learning to ask like a child and believe like a child (Matthew 18:3). My Heavenly Father wants to protect me, care and provide for me, and love me unconditionally. This requires me to set my pride aside and let myself need Him the way my children need me. I'm learning that there is incredible fulfillment in needing Him.
As a mom, God uses my relationship with my children to teach me about my relationship with Him. He is a Father (MY Father), and I am a mother. I can understand Him in tangible ways because we are both in a position of authority. At the same time, I am a child (HIS child) just like my own children. I can learn a lot about how I relate to my Father by watching how my children relate to me.
The reason this post is labeled "Part II" is because two years ago on Mother's Day, I published this blog post, 10 Things I've Learned About God From Being A Mom. Here are a few things I've learned since then, as God has faithfully continued to teach me about Himself.
*TRUTH--When we're far from God, we're in danger.
Scenario: As we were walking through a parking lot, Beulah got uncomfortably far from me. I called her back, moved us both to a safe place, got on her level, looked her in the eyes and said, "I can't keep you safe if you don't stay close to me."
*And so it is with us and God. When we don't stay close to our Heavenly Father, we are in danger of so many things: not hearing the Good Shepherd's guiding voice, falling into sin and death, falling prey to the enemy, etc. (John 10:1-18; see also John 15:1-17)
*TRUTH--We tend to shut God out when He doesn't give us what we want.
Scenario: One morning I was getting dressed in our bathroom. Beulah came in and asked if she could do something. When I told her no, she dropped her head, went out of the bathroom and closed the door behind her.
*When I didn't let her do what she wanted to do, she put a barrier between us; she created a wall. We do that to God. But, as a mom, I know that my reasons for saying "no" are good. As a child, Beulah can't understand those reasons. So, as God's children, we need to trust our Father's reasons for telling us "no" and keep the door open to His influence in our lives.
*TRUTH--We can grieve the One who sacrificed His life for us.
Scenario: It was late in the week, and Beulah had been missing her daddy. When he came home from work, she was attached at his hip, wanting him to hold her and play with her. (If only we longed to be with our Heavenly Father the way a little girl longs to be with her daddy!) After a few minutes of playing with Daddy, Beulah said, "I don't want Mommy around." She knew that if I wasn't around, Daddy couldn't leave again. And she wanted Daddy all to herself! Later that night, I said to Andy, "I have sacrificed my whole life for her and she still says things like that."
*As soon as the words came out of my mouth I wondered how many times I had made my Heavenly Father feel that way. How many times have I pushed away the One who sacrificed His life for me for someone/something else? Now, knowing how that felt, I hurt to think that I had grieved Him in that way.
*TRUTH--God disciplines us because He loves us.
Scenario: The first time Beulah told a lie, my heart was broken. My child's fallen nature was on display. In that moment I had so much compassion on her because I knew she didn't know what she was doing. Until the Lord quickens her, she is blind and a slave to sin. In obedience to my Father, I knew I had to discipline her. I hated doing it, but she needed to know that sin hurts us (and others). It hardens our hearts. If I let this sin slide by because it was the first time or because she didn't understand what she had done, it would have been easier for her to lie next time. Discipline is how we keep our children's hearts tender towards the Lord. (Proverbs 19:18) After I disciplined her, I held her tight and prayed. I felt an overwhelming amount of love and compassion for her in that moment.
*Likewise, our Heavenly Father disciplines us. Through discipline, He is refusing to allow our hearts to harden towards Him. Godly discipline is an incredible act of love from parent to child. (Hebrews 12:5-11)
*TRUTH--God loves us even when we sin (Romans 5:8).
Scenario: As a Christian, I believe that we are all born with a fallen nature (Psalm 51:5). Even my children, who are otherwise perfect in my eyes. I expect them to sin because I believe that everyone sins (Romans 3:23). So, when they do sin, I am not surprised. I am heartbroken, but not surprised. My love for them motivates me to point them to freedom from sin--to Christ. It doesn't matter what they do, I love them deeply.
*God created us. He knows that we are born broken and without a hope in the world apart from Him. And yet, He loves us so much that He died for us even while we were still in that broken condition!
*TRUTH--God defends us because He created us.
Scenario: In college I heard a quote, "They will defend that which they create." I've found that to be true of children when they present a piece of art. Their eyes are filled with pride at their creation. I have found it to be true of mothers as well. While we didn't create our children, God allowed us to participate in their creation. And, at the moment that child is born, another creature is born--I call her The Mama Beast. If you treat her child wrongly, no matter your age, you better watch out, because The Mama Beast is lurking, waiting to destroy you! Even minor offenses elicit a response from The Mama Beast, right or wrong. It's like a reflex. We just can't help ourselves.
*We are God's creation. He defends us the way The Mama Beast defends her young. But, He's way bigger and infinitely more powerful. Be careful how you treat His children. (Psalm 18, Romans 12:19)
*TRUTH--God delights in us!
Scenario: One day Beulah said to me, "Sing over me, Mama!" As soon as she said it, I thought of Zephaniah 3:17. I realized that I do the same thing with my girls. I am absolutely delighted by them and I can't help but sing over them.
*It helps me to believe that, even though I'm not perfect, my Heavenly Father delights in me too. And, I find comfort in the thought of Him singing over me!
*TRUTH--God cares about our tears.
Scenario: When my kids cry, I want to scoop them up and hold them close. (Now, I'm not talking about whining. That's different.) Even when they are crying because they've sinned and I've had to discipline them, my heart breaks for them and I want to hold them close and love on them. I don't like for my children to experience pain.
*Our tears matter to our Heavenly Father too. Psalm 56:8 says that He keeps a record of all our tears. And, when we get to Heaven, God Himself will wipe away our tears! (Revelation 21:4) Can you imagine?!
*TRUTH--God wants us to bring our cares to Him.
Scenario: Beulah can be Miss Cranky Pants after naps. Sometimes she will cry for no apparent reason. It makes me crazy because I want to fix it, but I don't know what's wrong or what to do to comfort her. All I want is for her to tell me what's wrong.
*While God already knows what's wrong, He still wants us to bring it to Him so that He can comfort us. "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
And, finally...
This one is a running family joke, and I share it at the risk of losing credentials for the rest of the post. :)
*TRUTH--Jesus's sacrifice for us on the cross wiped away ALL our sin; past, present and future!
Scenario: When Andy gets ready to change a poopy diaper, he always gets at least five wipes ready. It doesn't matter how big or little the mess is, he requires several wipes to clean it up. I only use one. It only takes one wipe to clean off all her dirty.
*And so it is with God. It only took Him one wipe to clean off all our dirty (Hebrews 10:10). Praise God!!
