The Father's Love

How deep the Father's love for us...He calls us to Himself. It is an invitation to intimacy. That unity of hearts that brings the shalom of God into our daily existence. That closeness that drives fear and uncertainty away. It is an invitation to relationship, to life, hope, peace, joy. A holy God inviting sinful man to come home. An invitation to leave the pig pen and sit at the Father's table and eat the Father's Bread. The Father waits to welcome the prodigal. The Father's love is the crucified Son reaching out His arms to embrace the world. As Wesley stated, "Amazing love how can it be that Thou my God should die for me?!" The Father calls us to himself, accepting us as we are and invading our emptiness with Himself. The woman at the well, Zachaeus the tax collector, the woman caught in adultery, Nicodemus the religious one, Saul of Tarsus, Judas Iscariot-all were called by the Father, all were loved, all had the opportunity of life.

A Prayer

The following is a prayer from Henri Nouwen and his book, A Cry For Mercy. May its simplicity and beauty be encouragement to you. "I call to you Lord, from my quiet darkness. Show me your mercy and love. Let me see your face, hear your voice, touch the hem of your cloak. I want to love you, be with you, speak to you and simply stand in your presence. But I cannot make it happen. Pressing my eyes against my hands is not praying, and reading about your presence is not living in it. But there is that moment in which you will come to me, as you did to your fearful disciples, and say, 'Do not be afraid, it is I.' Let that moment come soon, O Lord. And if you want to delay it, then make me patient. Amen." Let us continue to pray, He is listening. He is closer than we know-Thank you Jesus!