Tuesday, August 4

Have you ever noticed the difference in parents that attend a child’s softball game? Let’s look at three very different dads that have taken their sons or daughters to the ball field…
1. One stays in the car, reads a book and pays no attention to his son or daughter.
2. One sits in the bleachers with his back turned to the field, chatting with others.
3. One sits, perched on the edge of his seat, his eyes glued to the son or daughter that is so dear to his heart. He fervently watches the whole field to see how the game is going. With earnest vigilance, he scans the other players to make sure no one does anything to bring harm or is unfair to his precious son or daughter.
He is ever prepared to spring to his feet, jump up and down with total delight, and scream as loud as he can in utter enjoyment when his son or daughter makes the most incredible catch or tries to inch his way closer to home plate.
When the game is over, win or lose, the father puts his arm around his child, pats him or her on the back, and says, “Good job!” Then, he proudly takes his child out for a treat as the reward for a great performance.
Now, let’s compare these three dads to our heavenly Father. Which one sounds like your heavenly Father…
1. He sits on His throne in heaven involved in other things, not paying much attention to you. You wonder where He is. Sometimes can’t seem to find Him.
2. He sits rigidly on His throne, arms folded across His chest, sternly watching every move you make, ready to point His finger at you and to whack you with His rod. You wonder if you will ever do anything right in His sight.
3. He sits, perched on the edge of His seat, His eyes glued to the child that is so dear to His heart. He fervently watches the whole field to see how the game is going. With earnest vigilance, He scans the other players to make sure no one does anything to bring harm or is unfair to His precious child.
He is ever prepared to spring to His feet, jump up and down with total delight, and scream as loud as He can in utter enjoyment when His child makes the most incredible catch or tries to inch his way closer to Home plate.
When the game is over, win or lose, the Father puts His arm around the child, pats him on the back, and says, “Good job! I give you your reward.”
If you have never pictured God as being actively involved in what you do, begin now. He (along with the whole host of heaven) is ever ready to jump to His feet in pure delight over each step of your faithfulness and obedience.
Let His joy be your comfort.
