A Father's Love

I've read a book called The Help 2 times. I have a love for reading so it is not surprising that I've read it twice, but what surprises me is how much it gripped my heart. When I saw the movie a couple of weeks ago the beginning scene made me cry...hard. Who cries at the beginning of a movie? This movie was so wrapped up in human emotion that it just pierced my heart. The scene opens with the main character Aibeleen holding a little girl named Mae Mobley close to her and telling her "You is kind. You is smart. You is important." The thing is, Aibeleen is not Mae Mobley's Mom. Techinically in the book she is the "maid" but she turns out to be little Mae Mobley's link to unconditional love.   Mae Mobley's real Mom is off somewhere else getting her hair done, or sewing something, or playing bridge with her friends I suppose. In fact through the whole book (and movie) she finds ways to avoid her daughter and avoids finding ways to love her. But then there is Aibeleen constantly filling the void by repeating to her, "You is kind. You is smart. You is important." It had me thinking, where would this little girl be with out these words being spoken to her? And although this is just a Hollywood movie and a fictional book  it made me wonder how many precious babies grow up with out hearing those words "You is kind. You is smart. You is important." How Aibeleen showed that little girl love when noone else would.
I think of my own sweet babies and how much I love them. How much I enjoy telling them everyday "I love you sooooooo much" And yes I will tell them I still love you. Even when you hit me in the face (Carso), even when you say "Stop talking to me!"(Kate) even when you get so mad you throw yourself on the floor (Both) I still love you. But those are just baby things. Nothing compared to what other parents go through. Yes I will still love you when you reject me,when you say you hate me,  when you run away, when you get lost in drugs and alcohol, when you find ways to fill a void that only God can fill.There it is.  Did you wonder when I was going to talk about God? Everything that has preceded this sentence has been wrapped up in how much God loves us. And I beg his forgiveness by saying in all of my 36 years I have never really known and accepted how much He loves me. But I am starting to learn. Not that He is just starting to reveal His love to me. It has been there all along and He has wanted to show me all along. The real miracle is that I am accepting this gift. I am choosing to overcome my unbelief.   Only God can show me true abiding love. Love that will change everything for me. Love that endures. He wants me to  know that in the words of Beth Moore "Christ is never intimidated by the depth of our need or the demonstration of our weakness." His love and comfort is perfect for us. Why do I resist this gift that has been given to me? When everything that I have tried to fill the void in my life has failed me, I come crawling back to him and climb up into His arms and in His goodness and mercy He still loves me, He says "I've missed you" and "come and rest."  I want to conclude this post with an excerpt from Beth Moore's Bible study Breaking Free. It is a personal message from the Father to us. As you read it replace my name with your name. I was overcome with emotion by how much He cares for me. How involved He is with my hurting and sadness. He has come to "bind up the brokenhearted." Do you belive it? I'm starting to....

My child Betsy, I loved you before you were born. I knit you in your mother's womb and knew what your first and last words would be. I knew every difficulty you would face Betsy. I suffered each one with you. Even the ones you didn't suffer with me. I had a plan for your life before you were born. The plan has not changed, Betsy, no matter what has happened or what you have done. You see I already knew all things concerning you before I formed you.  Betsy I would never allow any hurt to come into your life that I could not use for eternity. Will you let me? Your truth is incomplete unless you view it against the backdrop of my truth. Betsy your story will forever remain incomplete...until you let Me do what only I can do with your hurt. Let Me perfect that which concerns you.

I remain,
Your Faithful Father