Tag: children

Posted in Different Thoughts

fatherhood.

Posted on by Wick

I’m thankful for tiny hearts and their natural inclination toward being loved.

I’m humbled to recognize my tiny heart has been inclined toward the Father’s Love, even in moments I am least aware.

I’m challenged by the seasons of parenting, and how our children incline themselves toward our love in different ways, each according to season. So often I’d rather give them the love I enjoy giving, rather than the love they’re seeking in that moment.

I’m thankful for the ways we are each pursued by the Father’s Love.

I’m in awe of the tender vulnerability shown in our creator becoming one of these tiny hearts, naturally inclined toward being loved by His own human parents.

I’m honest enough to know that I’m imperfect as a father, and I’ve not shown the love my children have needed every time they’ve needed it. I’m thankful for their grace.

I believe I have this in common with Joseph, meaning Jesus has experienced the wound of not being loved well at times. Our God knows our pain. He chose to experience it purposefully, even after seeing what humanity was capable of.

Even when Jesus was being loved imperfectly by His earthly father, it was part of His heavenly Father revealing love to all humanity – which now included Him. This offers an amazing foundation for Jesus to respond in His woundedness, as one who knows He is loved.

We know nothing less of ourselves.

And so again, I am thankful.

Tiny hearts – may we continue to lean in toward the Love we have always needed, and always known.

Happy Father’s Day.

Posted in Different Scriptures, Spoken Word

1 Peter 2:9-12

Posted on by Wick

The problem with finding you’re “chosen”
It makes you wonder who was not
And for this early new “people”
They needed reminded, a lot

It wasn’t that they didn’t have family
Each one had a mom and a dad
But following Jesus made each one let go
Of identities they previously had

Set free from what used to give them
Their bearings among so many others
It was good to remind them they now had
A plethora of sisters and brothers

This wasn’t some new way of being
That God just decided to try
This was what He’d been doing
Since Abraham and Moses came by

To be part of God’s “chosen people”
Even living far off among strangers
Gave important and real identity
As they worshipped the king from a manger

So now as a people shown mercy
Live as people from light marvelous
Turn away from the dark desires of flesh
Be encouraged, that you’re one with us.

Though they malign you as “different”
I assure you “different” is good
It sets you apart as one who is living
As God’s own royal priesthood.

Posted in Different Scriptures, Spoken Word

1 Peter 1:23-25

Posted on by Wick

Have I still a seed imperishable,
Somewhere planted deep inside?
Or has such seed germinated already
The perishable having died?

The good news was something I’ve heard
In more than one way as I’ve grown
Although I’ll confess, in the beginning
It wasn’t good soil to be sown

But for years now I’ve tried to nurture
The right conditions for growing
And I believe by the Spirits power
There’s even some fruit that is showing

I see His Love reflected
In my home, and the way we exist
But there’s still a holy examine
For something I may have missed

I do not want to live anxious
Wondering if I bear “enough” fruit
For the “good news” also reminds us
That our efforts to measure are moot.

It is not our achievements or fruit bearing
That will cause God’s heart to inflame
It’s the way that we set performance aside
And humbly call on His name

Knowing full well that He loves us
Throughout His Word He assures
It’s not the the things that we do in His name
But only His Word, that endures.