New Living Translation (NLT)

Verse 31 'all' from the New King James Version (NKJV)

I had no idea..

As you know by now, I always try to release our songs according to the Spirit’s schedule. Jan just informed me that this Sunday it's Father's Day. I had no idea! 😅 I love it when that happens :)

When I gave my life to God, to Papa, six years ago, He revealed Himself first as a Father. And that's no coincidence.

For years, I had a difficult relationship with my father, to put it mildly.

And without me really knowing, I missed having a father.

So God revealing Himself as a Father was huge for me. I literally came home to God, to Papa. That's why I insist on calling God 'Papa,' my Daddy, because He's so much more to me than 'just' God. I know Him personally, intimately.

By knowing Him intimately, He helped me restore my earthly relationship with my father.

So this story about the Prodigal Son has a deep meaning for me.

I was once that Prodigal Son. And instead of rebuking me, He helped me, restored me, healed me. He is a GOOD Father. He really is.

I love that in this story, the son on his way back home is rehearsing his lines: "Father, I've sinned against etc." But when he arrives, his father beats him to it! He runs to him, kisses him, while the son is trying to say, "Father, I've sinned, etc." But the father doesn't even hear him; He shouts: "Quick, bring the finest robe and put it on him. We're gonna celebrate, my son is back!"

I once spoke to somebody who said: "I'm happy for you, but it's just not fair. I spent my life being in church every Sunday, trying to be a good Christian. You went out whoring and doing all kinds of sinful things. And here you are. You had an encounter with God. He forgave you, healed you from depression and addictions, and on top of that, He gave you a mission."

And he's right. I didn't deserve that. It's God being good. God's grace. But don't think you deserve it more because you're a regular churchgoer.

It's like the Father says to the older brother in the story: "All I have is yours." Let that sink in for a minute... ALL I have.. is YOURS (!)

Hebrews 4:16 says we can come "boldly" to the throne of God.

You know how I picture it? You can walk right up to the heavenly fridge, pour yourself a freshly squeezed OJ, and ask, "What's for dinner, Dad?"

You don't need to hold out a trembling hand. That's what "All I have is yours" and "boldly" mean. He wants you to be comfortable around Him, to know what it means to be His son, His daughter.

Don't get me wrong; I'm not saying be disrespectful, but be comfortable and know who you are. You're His child.

I believe that's exactly why He chose me when Jesus told me: "This is our Project of Love; together we will show the heart of the Father to the world."

In order to do that, you have to know the heart of the Father. I'm not presuming I know all of His heart, but I know enough to show it to the world. ;)

One final thought: don't think this rules out the mothers or daughters. He made man and woman in His image. They both represent His heart here on earth.

Happy Father's Day! 🙌❤️