Daddy

You didn’t receive a spirit of slavery to lead you back again into fear, but you received a Spirit that shows you are adopted as his children. With this Spirit, we cry, “Abba, Father.”

-Romans 8:15 CEB

Not too long ago, I had a crappy week of random yet small challenges.  My husband was traveling so our 8 year old son and I were home alone and it seemed that anything that could have gone wrong, tried to.  I was sick, the dog got sick, the glass patio table shattered into a million pieces and nothing was going as planned.  That afternoon I called my Daddy.  Now, I don't know about you, but I grew up in the South and my father will always be my Daddy.  He is also one of the most kind and generous men I know and is always willing to listen.  I called him and just cried and told him that I just wanted my Daddy.  It seemed like a pretty silly thing for a 37 year old married woman and mom to be doing over such small stressors.  But, I did and it soothed my heart.  After I got off the phone, I sensed my God giving me a great big hug and reminding me that in reality my Daddy, my Abba, is always with me.  That is the father that Paul reminds us we have and loves us no matter what.  We can cry out to Abba - Daddy.  God wants to know about the things that concern or upset us, the Creator wants to free us from the things that bind us.  God wants to love us unconditionally and allow us to experience freedom in this life.  

I don't know what your relationship with your father is like.  But, let me just say that I still call my father Daddy.  Somewhere amidst the tween years, I transitioned to Mama from Mommy.  But, I never stopped calling my father, Daddy.  

I have studied and learned lots over the last couple of years about many different views of God and the names we call him or her.  But, for me...I do love the idea of God being my Abba...my Daddy.  There is something about curling up in Abba's lap after a rough day and just asking to be held close that is really comforting.  Paul is reminding us in Romans of this freedom, not bondage, in our Heavenly Father.  I hope you find that freedom in your Abba today.