Thoughts for another day

July 25, 2008

Today's verse: 1 Ch 17:13. I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Rhea, had just lost her father in a terrible accident. They had buried him that evening. Now at 11 pm only her younger brother and mother were there in the house. Her mother had stopped crying only a few mins. earlier and her brother being small, hardly knew what had happened. Although at age 14, Rhea really didn’t understand the extent of the loss, she still felt a terrible void. She had cried a bit seeing her dad lying still in the box and she really could not come to terms with his stillness. He was so lively and funny. She just could not imagine him lying motionless. Now it hit her hard even as she missed her father’s loving hand upon her as he used to put it around her and lull her to sleep each night telling her stories in that strange manner of his. Sorrow engulfed her and she sobbed very gently so as not to awaken her mother and brother.

She turned to God and asked Him in her innocent way, why it had happened. She knew God spoke to His people and she now lay silent waiting for His voice and gently drifted to sleep. In her dream she saw a beautiful sea of glass and on it someone wearing a dazzling garment coming toward her. In a trice she knew it was Jesus and then Jesus took her in His arms and held her. Her questions vanished. Jesus told her how much He loved her and that God Himself was her Father and from today, He had claimed her as His own and He would fulfils all her needs.

In the morning as she got up, she felt a calm she’d never before. She felt someone near her, leading her on. Her chores that she did so reluctantly in the morning were finished in no time at all. She turned to her mom and reassured her. This went on and Rhea discovered an inner strength she had never known. She now took her father’s place and somehow she always felt this presence in her life, guiding her and leading her forward. She instinctively knew it was her Heavenly Father who was keeping His promise. Years later one night, as she knelt to pray, she felt His hand upon her and really it was so beautiful. As the tears rolled down her eyes, she thanked Him, who had taken her father’s place walking with her as she grew to be a young lady, successful in all she did.

My friend, with or without tragedy, God is always our Father. Just as close to us as Rhea felt. His promise still stands, ‘I will be your father, and you shall be my child: and I will not take my mercy away from you’. Lay hold of His hand O dearly beloved of God and let Him lead thee along the road, ever so gently that the whisper of the breeze speaks to you even as His dominion over you is complete.