Abba, Father

“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”

-- Galatians 4:4-7, NIV

It happened in an instant, yet my mind’s eye replays it in slow motion. Pedals and legs, arms and handlebars – all blurring into one tires-over-head crash onto the sidewalk. And I couldn’t move fast enough to prevent it.

“Daddy, it hurts!” he cried.
“I know, buddy. I know.”

It was all I knew to do to comfort him – tell him I understood his hurt and hold him. I couldn’t wave a magic wand to replace the skin that was now missing from mid-forearm to elbow. And telling a child he was fortunate not to have broken a bone wouldn’t make the pain less severe nor stop it any sooner.

Daddy knows buddy; he has the scars to prove it.

What an amazing God we have. Like all good fathers, He gives us the freedom to make our own lives, our own decisions, and our own mistakes. We learn from these choices. Yet, when the pain comes, He is always there to comfort us.

During Advent we celebrate the fact that Jesus came to live among us – God with us. When He says, “I know. I understand your pain,” He also has the scars to prove it. The Bible doesn’t tell us whether a young Jesus ever skinned His knee or scraped His elbow, but we do know He suffered excruciating pain and has the utmost concern for every child in His kingdom.

What a privilege we have. When our pain comes, we can be wrapped in God’s embrace, call Him Abba (Daddy), and know His care. He won’t prevent every pain, but He is always there to comfort us. What a wonderful, compassionate Father we have!

[Originally posted on FaithWriters.com - December of 2008.]