This piece of advice from the Bush girls to the Obama girls stood out to me. I don’t know what all they meant by those words, but I imagine that they may have been saying: "No matter how many people criticize him, no matter how busy he gets, no matter what happens in the next few years–no matter what people say–remember that he is your dad and he loves you."
 
I found myself identifying with this idea. My dad, too, spent a number of years in a leadership position. It was, obviously, on a much smaller scale than what President Bush or President Obama holds. But, it was just as important–he was a pastor. And it seems that no matter what level of leadership one holds, there are characteristics that come with the job. But, I know who my dad is! No matter how many criticisms or accusations came over the years, no matter how busy he got, no matter what people may have said. . . I know the agony over tough decisions that needed to be made. I know the sorrow over mistakes that were made. I know the gut-wrenching pain that was experienced. Because no matter what level of leadership–he was still a person with a heart and feelings. I know the joy experienced when he saw people seeking after God. I know that no matter what, my dad seeks hard to follow God and do what is right for his family. Because I remember (know) who my dad really is!
 
And this can be taken to another level as well. As Christians, we need to remember who our Dad is! When the circumstances around us seem more than we can bear, when the path ahead seems unclear, when the losses and the joys are keenly felt, when others may speak negatively about Him, we can remember that our Dad is: Creator of the universe, All-knowing, the God of all Comfort, Good, always Present and Delighting in us–His children. . .and so much more! Isn’t that cool!?
 
So. . .as you go through life: "Remember Who Your Dad Really Is"!

Mary, Did You Know?

Words by Mark Lowry and Music by Buddy Greene

Mary, did you know

That your baby boy will one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know

That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know 

That your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered

Will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know

That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know

That your baby boy will calm a storm with His?

Did you know

That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little baby 

You've kissed the face of God

The blind will see

The deaf will hear

And the dead will live again

The lame will leap 

The dumb will speak

The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know 

That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know

That your baby boy will one day rule the nations?

Did you know

That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you're holding

Is the Great I Am

God has been taking me on a journey of trust, patience, and contentment this summer. I have been needing to (and continue to need to) trust that He has a plan of what He wants me to be doing for a job, patience for Him to show me what that is, and contentment with what He brings along my path. His plan and its timing isn’t always what I would prefer, but it is always sufficient and leaves me feeling cared and provided for. And it also leaves me wondering why I stress out, worry, and fret when He’s got it all under control!?

Several weeks ago, I got a picture that ‘helps’ put into perspective some of the things I’ve been learning the last while about God’s sovereignty (being in control) and His care (knowing the tiny details).

At the end of June, Asher and I were flying from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. As we were flying, I looked out the window and could see down below me the hills, roads winding across the land, the sparkling roofs indicating a city, etc. Miles and miles of land! I thought, "Wow! I can see a lot from up here–I can see a pretty big picture!" Mentally, I lowered myself down to the earth–trying to picture what I would see of the landscape from down there. If I were down on the road, I wouldn’t be able to see around the bend or over the hill. I wouldn’t be able to see beyond the city or over the trees....I would just see right where I was and beyond that, only until something obstructed my view. But, from the airplane–I could see for miles!!

Then I got to thinking. God can see the big picture, too! BUT! His big picture is way bigger than mine! He can see the whole world, the whole universe, the past, present, and future–everything! In comparison to His big picture, my big picture isn’t so big anymore–I could only see a small portion of the United States, only a small portion of whatever state we were crossing at the time.

My train of thought continued...not only could God see a much bigger picture than I could, but He could also see the tiny details that made up that picture! From the airplane, I could see for miles–over the hills and trees, the path of the road, an entire city, etc. But, I couldn’t see the cars on the road, the individual houses and buildings in the city, the people that lived and worked in those buildings, the crops in the fields–none of the little details that made up the picture. But, our great God can! He sees a bigger picture than we ever will and more minute details than we ever will!

Somehow that is comforting to me to know that He can see it all. He can see His plan for my life and knows exactly what little details need to take place for it to happen.

There is a song by Trevor Toews called "Almighty God" that kind of follows this same subject...the third verse especially reminds me of this whole "Great, Big God–tiny details" thing.

"Great God so high, so kind and holy

Bending way down low, so meek and lowly

To hear the lonely cry, come from a poor, lost soul

You heal the broken heart, you save and make it whole."

 

And the chorus:

 

"Almighty God, how great thou art!

You have no ending, You had no start.

I know by faith You’re real, for Your love I daily feel.

Almighty God, I believe in You."

 

We serve a mighty, personal God!!