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A Father's Story
In the wee hours of a Sunday morning sits a father excitedly waiting. He's
excited because he is expecting a visit from some of his children. As the hour of their arrival approaches, his anticipation grows. He perks up as he sees
them entering the building. They're almost here!
He's standing by his door smiling. He just can't wait to wrap his arms around
his kids and tell them how he loves them so. To show them how happy he is to see them. He is so looking forward to their time together!
Disappointment starts to overtake the father's heart. He can see and hear his
children talking and complaining. They aren't even aware of his presence. They can't see him waiting for them. He stands there hoping they will take
notice that he is there.
Haven't they prepared to visit me? Didn't they realize this was supposed to be
our special time together? Don't they realize how important they are to me?
And how much I love to have them spend time with me? Can't they see how I long to show them my love and meet every need they have? Wait, here they
come...
Why are they running so fast? What is it they are saying? They're speaking so
fast, rushing their words... hurrying... They push passed his open arms
saying "hello father, we're here to spend some time with you this morning.
But we can't stay too long, we have other things to do later today."
At the end of the visit, the children leave pleased with themselves. After all,
they DID visit with their father. They're feeling like they accomplished what they came to do. But, the father's eyes are sad. His beloved children
halfheartedly visited with him. They had other things on their minds. They didn't come prepared to spend time with the One who loves them beyond all
other things.
Isn't this how we are some Sunday mornings? We come to church
unprepared. We haven't spent time in prayer, praise & worship most
likely, all week, let alone that morning.
We see our friends and instead of preparing our hearts to come before our
Father, we are busy socializing. How many times have we rushed through the " Father, bless this time together, give us your grace, yada, yada, yada"
prayer?
Oh, how we have grieved the Holy Spirit! We have not taken our times before
Him seriously! We have lived in ungratefulness! We have acted in selfishness.
We have gone before Him to receive without really giving our all to Him!
We have stormed His gates and brushed passed His open arms. We have
entered the wrong way! It was never intended for us as His beloved children to run through the outer court, push our way to the inner court and expect to
be ushered into the Holy of Holies. We are to come boldly before His throne, respectfully, reverently. How can we do that if we haven't set our hearts on
Him?
Our heavenly Father excitedly and expectantly waits for us to enter His gates
with thanksgiving and praise on our lips. He longs to embrace us at the door
of the Holy of Holies!! He wants to kiss the forehead of every child that enters
and say, " I Love You! " The question is, will we stop long enough to prepare to meet Him and receive the blessings of intimate fellowship and precious
moments in His presence? He won't force us... its our choice!
Written by Melissa A. Murie
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