When I feel particularly small and vulnerable, I run to my Papa, knowing I can find rest in His arms. I go to His word and pour over scriptures painting this picture of a loving Father who is always there, kind, gentle, and waiting with open arms. He enfolds me. I see Him protecting me, lifting me up on His shoulders, singing over me as I fall gently to sleep in His arms.
…The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders. Deuteronomy 33:12
‘The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. ‘Zephaniah 3:17
This is the image I have of God, my Papa, and have always seen Him as a safe loving place because of my earthly father. My natural father struggled with depression and anxiety all the days I knew him. He wasn’t able to do a lot of things many fathers do because of debilitating mental illness. None of that mattered to me as a little girl. All I knew, was if I was afraid or needed to be reassured, I could run to my Daddy and he would speak softly to me, enfold me in his arms and instantly
I would feel safe and cared for.
I thank you Papa, God for blessing me with a Father who helped me run to you with no fear or reservations, knowing I can find rest, complete acceptance, and breathe, free from fear, judgment and condemnation. You are my safe place.
I recently found the song “Lean Back” performed by Worship Mob, which brought up all these wonderful images of Papa God, and how He used my natural father to teach me about His love.
Lean Back
You will never leave
Your love sustaining me
Before I even knew what love was
You’ve brought me here to rest
And given me space to breathe
So I’ll stay still until it sinks in
I will lean back in the loving arms
Of a beautiful Father
Breathe deep and know that He is good
He’s a love like no other
Now I can see Your love is better
Than all the others that I’ve seen
I am breathing deep all of Your goodness
Your loving-kindness to me
