Like Our Father: A 5-Day Study by Christina FoxSample

Day 1:

Every parent looks forward to hearing their child’s first words. There is even a dedicated space to record it in those baby books where parents document all the events of a child’s first year.

Once our toddler begins making sounds, our anticipation increases. When little Emily babbles and points at something, we wonder: Is she trying to say a word? What is it? When little Josh repeats the same sound over and over, we go out of our way to decipher just what it is he is saying. We point to various objects or people and enunciate each word clearly and slowly, hoping he will copy what we say.

With both my children, I thought for sure their first word would be “momma” or at least “dadda.” Perhaps it would be “momma” because they spent so much time with me each day; or, perhaps it would be “dadda” because they were always so excited to see my husband when he returned home from work. Yet, this wasn’t the case for either of my boys. My oldest son’s first word took us by surprise when he pointed to a clock and said “clock.” The first word of my youngest—today the athlete of the family—was “ball.”

Though my boys did not say “momma” and “dadda” right away, they did soon enough. It is such a sweet and tender moment to hear your child call you by name—for them to identify you as their parent. To give voice to the fact that they belong to you and you belong to them. To call out for you when they need you—when they’ve fallen and hurt themselves or are scared in the middle of the night. Hearing your child call you by name: there is nothing else like it in the world. though I have to admit, when you finally take a break to use the restroom, and immediately someone cries out “Mom!” or “Dad!” you might wish they didn’t know your name after all!

As believers, we refer to God as our “Father.” Just as our children ask us to feed them when they are hungry, we pray to our Father in heaven to ask for our daily bread. Just as our children call out to us when they need help, we cry out to our Father to rescue us from trouble. What a privilege it is to call the God of the universe our Father! The fact that we call him Father means that we belong to Him and He to us.

Take time today to dwell on the truth that God is your Father.

Questions to Consider:

1. How does a child respond to her father when she is hurt? What might it look like for you to turn to your Father in heaven in this way?
2. What does it mean to you that you can bring your worries to your Father in heaven?
3. What needs can you pray to him about today?