It is in the fragile seasons that You meet us strong. It's when we feel misunderstood or wounded, broken or abandoned that we run and hide in the warm shelter of Your arms.
You're a good good Father.
You show us mercy and grace, that unmerited favor. You don't hold our sins to our faces, You forgive and remove them from us forever. You see our inmost intentions, whether messy or holy ... and You remind us that we're not defined by our sins, but by who we are in Jesus Christ.
You're a good good Father. That's who You are.
You whisper that every last thing we yearn for is found in Jesus Christ alone. You gently remind us to stop endlessly looking to others for comfort, for they are often wounded themselves and unable or unwilling to go there. Your compassions are new and fresh every morning, our frailties are gently laid to the side. You make us strong.
You're a good good Father. And I'm loved by You.
Our critics are daunted, powerless to control who we are as You, the Lover of our souls, protect the very essence of our beings. Even through sadness, disappointment, frustration, or fear, our inmost places are protected from the foolish words or callous insensitivity of others.
You're a good good Father. And I'm loved by You. That's who I am.
You welcome us with open arms. You don't walk out the door and leave us alone and defenseless with all our broken messiness. We lean hard into You, we rededicate our life's intentions to Your sacred pleasure. We purposefully seek You for we know full well that we are weary and needy.
You're a good good Father. You're perfect in all of Your ways to us.
It's in You that we find perfect rest for our restless souls.
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YES! Praise Him for Who He is! Beautiful pictures, My Friend!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
It's a wonderful time of year to be outside walking, biking, exploring. I know you're having fun doing the same.
DeleteWeekend blessings to you, Lulu!
Linda, I've been in love with the song Good Good Father since the day I heard it. Thank you for this lovely post outlining all the points!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite line of your post? "You don't hold our sins to our faces, You forgive and remove them from us forever." Praise God, cuz I've done some dumb stuff ...
Me, too, Jerralea! I'm in love with this soothing song of praise ... and with our Savior! What a Heavenly Father we serve.
DeleteAnd yes, I'm rejoicing today that 'He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve.' Amen and amen.
In God we find perfect rest for our restless souls...wow1 That is powerful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect Fathers' Day post!
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/06/your-dying-spouse-324-gates-of-mordor.html
Hey Andrew ... This sure has been a very challenging month for a number of people I know or whose daunting challenges I've heard about.
DeleteThere's lots of grief and trauma going on, isn't there.
And I know that Father's Day can be a most excruciating Sunday for a myriad of reasons.
Thank God that He is strong and loving in the midst of all that life throws at us. What a wonderful Savior!
One of my favorite contemporary Christian songs, Linda! Thank you for reminding us, through your photos and words, just what a good, good Father God is.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
The song is like a warm hug, isn't it.
DeleteHow are you guys doing, Martha ... I know this has been a difficult month for you.
Thank you for this beauty. I love holding onto my good, good Father. I pray you are leaning in on this Father's Day without your dad.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you, too, Mary, during this transition season {will it ever end?}
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Amen!
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DeleteLove that song but have heard it by Chris Tomlin. Fantastic message of hope and grace and strength and love.
ReplyDeleteGod is so very faithful, isn't He ...
DeleteWas smiling all through this post too because I've been challenged to learn this as my first song for the guitar just yesterday. My reaction? Oh, not a Chris Tomlin song! Everyone knows those songs too well! He's too popular, and all bands play his songs (like Casting Crowns here). And now you are sharing it out. Maybe God's has a different plan from my idea. :) Most likely because He knows what is best for me, us!
ReplyDeleteThat's funny! I'm thinking that God must smile sometimes as He watches His children make decisions ...
DeleteAmen.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many people remembered to say Happy Father's Day to God.
God bless.
Oh.
DeleteI never thought of it that way.
I never thought of it at all ...
Amen!! And on Father's Day I so much need His goodness to wrap around me as I think of and miss my earthly dad who has been with Him now for 22 years.
ReplyDeleteHe must have been an incredible man, Pam. I'm guessing he'd be delighted if he could see his legacy lived out in your life and your impact on people.
DeleteI hope you found your Heavenly Father cradling you, comforting you on Sunday.
Those holidays can be so painful, can't they ...
This is just one of my favorite songs, Linda. Thanks for your insight and for the reminder not to go looking too much for comfort from other sources. Other people are wounded and often unable to give it. Such wisdom here. Blessings on your week!
ReplyDeleteThanks for understanding what I wrote, Betsy. I certainly didn't want to sound harsh or unfeeling.
DeleteI actually went back and reworded this post here and there after it was published. Gosh, I never want to be misunderstood ...
Such.beautiful.words. What a strong way to wake to this Tuesday. xo
ReplyDeleteYou're sweet, Kristi ...
DeleteYes and amen, dear Linda! :-)
ReplyDeletePraying ...
DeleteThis is a beautiful reminder of who God is in our lives. With all that goes on sometimes, it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that He is a good Father! Thank you for sharing this post. I'm your neighbor at Holley Gerth's linkup.
ReplyDeleteHi neighbor ... I'm glad you left your footprint here today!
DeleteWelcome.
We sang this song on Sunday... ♥ I am blessed to have an earthly Father whose qualities point me back to these of God as well... He will never leave His children with a stone when they ask for bread. ♥ Thanks for the reminder Linda xo
ReplyDeleteHearts back to ya', Heather ...
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Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteHope you're enjoying your vacation with your family! It's so true what this song says -- no matter what happens, God is good and wants good for us (even when we don't feel it!)
Thanks for popping over and leaving kind words about my blog's new look :) I think you're on Blogger, too? I finally tried out one of their new templates to keep it from looking too Blogger-ish (with the help of my social media savvy friend! :) Maybe you'll convert too?! (Or ask one of your techie grandkids to help!) xoxo Happy summer!
Hi Valerie ... you're brave in your online re-do. Whenever I think of the day I almost lost not one blog ... but TWO, my blood runs cold.
DeleteI'm a technological chicken.
Good thing white space is one of my favorite things!
Weekend blessings to you, friend ...
I love this song, and especially love when our elementary school kids sing it at church. There is nothing like that time of worship!
ReplyDeleteWhen the kids sing loud and strong, the angels join in.
DeleteIt's that heavenly! Even if they're a tad off key ...
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A beautiful offering of praise. Thank you, friend. Blessings on your week!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the holiday weekend, June. Can't wait to see what beauties your lens captures along the way!
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