In my current job, I drive…. a lot. Most days, I am commuting 1.5 hours to work and am typically in the work truck for 3-4 hours. So naturally, after the radio plays the same 10 songs over and over again, I get a lot of time to think.

As I was driving the other day, I was thinking about my role as a Father. As most know, I have an almost 2 year old that I am totally head over heals for. Its probably not healthy how much I love this little girl. I think I have already committed to buying her at least 14 cars or so. Anyway- I began to think as a father, I must, MUST always love Aubryn in a way that she knows it. One of my biggest failures as a Dad is Aubryn growing up not knowing how much I love her.

And thats the role of a father- and good father. I long to show Aubryn in so many ways how much I love her. Love through hugs, kisses, direction, discipline, support, a shoulder, owning many weapons for her first (and last) boyfriend to see. I desire to show her how much I love her.

But as a daughter, she doesnt have to show me how much she loves me. She just has to be in the same room and I see it. All she has to do is crawl up in my lap….. let me squeeze her….. invite me to play kitchen with her….. fart really loud- look at me with that grin and say “pootz.” She never has to “prove” her love for me. That is not a child’s responsibility. When a child has a loving father, they just soak in the love.

Aubryn obeys us because we love her first. She doesn’t obey us to get us to love her.

Did you catch that? Let me say it another way.

We as Christians obey God because He loves us first. Not to get Him to love us.

Its a big difference. I think this happens out of a “child-like faith” that the bible talks about. I want my daughters attitude towards me to be my attitude towards God. If my daughter can understands a love from a very messed up Father, How much greater is a love from a Perfect God!

Quit trying to earn love, deserve love, be good enough to be loved. Thats not your role as a child

A Father dreams on how to show his love to his son, his daughter. A child just eats it up.

Eat up Gods love. It will never run out.

How deep the Fathers love for us- Stuart Townend

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that left Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom