unmistakably mine

“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” Ephesians 1:5

My Abba,

I have no compass for love like yours. You interrupted the eternal, flawless, joy-filled intimacy that you experienced with your Son, in order, to give us an opportunity to be a part of your forever family. You made that sacrifice knowing many of us would refuse your extraordinary offer.

You fully grasped the truth that scores of your created ones, for whom you sacrificed, would laugh, mock, scorn, and try to destroy the gift you gave. Tiny, foolish, handmade humans reviling you, the God who breathed the universe into existence.

I realize you weren’t surprised by our folly. You chose to go down this road with us, knowing full well what was ahead. Not only did you perfectly grasp the situation, you actually wanted to bring this exorbitant adoption to fruition. Bringing us into your family gave you “great pleasure.”

Your perfect love shatters my misconceptions about how love and life should work.   Thank you for choosing to offer us forever favor as your children, even at such a tremendous cost.

I want you to continue transforming me into a child consumed with your boundless love. Each day, please fill me with a passion for you that only your Spirit can accomplish in me.

In my own strength, I cannot even pretend to love you, or anyone else, like you want me to. I am repeatedly accosted by my limitations. But when your love flows through me to others, I am, also, amazed by what you can accomplish through someone as flawed and frail as me.

Please give me a child’s eager heart to imitate my Father. Captivate me with the way you think, speak, move and act, so I am utterly transformed. I know I belong to you but I yearn for the day when the family resemblance becomes unmistakable.

I love you,

Mollie

My child,

Think about how you watched your earthly father when you were young. You observed how he practiced integrity, cared for animals, ran his business, helped those in need, tamed horses, and even how he washed dishes and exercised. You wanted to learn about how he lived because, despite his flaws, you loved and admired him. You desired to emulate his finer traits.

Even if you examine me endlessly, you will only find perfection. I am always worth watching. I want you to learn more and more about how I live.

Pay attention to the grace I extend to those you don’t find endearing, the mercy I show to those who wring the life out of your best intentions, and the patience I demonstrate toward the ones you think are light years past hopeless. I want you to learn the limitless love of a perfect Father. No restrictions, flaws, shortcomings, or limitations.  I can show you how it is done and give you the power to do it.

Let me show the world you are unmistakably mine.

I love you,

Abba

photo: plepraisaeng

NLT