Sometimes God shows up in little strange places where a situation might give me a revelation about Him in some way. That happened this weekend.
Let me preface by saying I notoriously appreciate him more in the little insignificant moments, the blue door moments (shout out to my house buying story). These are the times where if He didn’t show up it would not have been the end of the world but the fact that He did just feels like He understands me, even in the little things.
I got to travel to Arkansas this weekend for an amazing training. I was met down there by some of my favorite people from Celebrate Recovery. We were staying in the same hotel.
I road with them to dinner and then to the church Friday night. We stopped on the way back at a convenience store where I got a big ol bottle of water and a protein bar, figuring they were both for the next day. When we got back to the hotel and were walking through the door I realized my water was still in the car. Knowing I’d be driving myself the next day and not knowing whether I would remember or have an opportunity to get my water the next day I said, “oops. I left my water in the car. If you unlock it I’ll lock it back. You don’t have to wait.”
He went back outside and unlocked the car and then said “I’ll watch for you.” Or something like that. I replied, “oh, well you don’t have to.” His response was “that’s what dads do.”
Disclaimer, we weren’t in what appeared to be a particularly rough part of town or a town with a rough part honestly. The parking lot felt small and safe. The car wasn’t that far.
Also factoring in that I always go places alone and I never feel unsafe (which could be lack of wisdom). I am also 99% sure I could beat someone up if I had to (though in my brain I’m bigger than I am in real life.)
All that being said I was pretty sure I could retrieve my water just fine. And if anything unsavory popped up, which I doubted it would, I could also handle it. I pretty much said “I didn’t have one of those for long so I didn’t know…whatever you want to do”. And he stood there until I got back.
I didn’t think a lot more of it. But then it came back to my mind today. I think God brought it there. God as the Father has never really connected to me. I had a father for 5 years so I don’t really know what a father relationship really is like post-preschool.
But you see in the dark in Arkansas, I was about 99% confident in my ability to do things myself. In actuality if someone had popped up with unsavory intentions, I don’t likely stand as high of a chance as I do in my mind. But Skip is a big ol’ guy and I’m 100% confident in his ability to take anybody that would pop up that needed taking care of. (And between the two of us no one stands a chance.)
God said, That’s like me. I know sometimes you think you have things by yourself and maybe sometimes you do. But I still want to stay with you and watch out for you…cuz that’s what Dads do.
You see I could have fought off an attacker, probably, but also I shouldn’t have to…at least not alone. There’s also likely less chance that something would have the nerve to mess with me with Skip standing guard.
It’s the same with God. Sometimes I can fight my own battles but He doesn’t want me to. He wants to keep me safe. He wants it to be easier. And sometimes just His presence is all I need.
He wants to walk with me, to guide me, to protect me. He wants me to know I’m safe with Him. He wants any threats around me to know that He’s there too and that if they mess with His daughter, they’ll have to mess with Him.
‘Cuz that’s what Dads do…
I smiled to myself as I went up the elevator to my hotel room. I realized it’s kind of nice to be watched out for. It’s nice to have someone care that you’re safe. And just as I knew I was safe in the parking lot with my pretend dad watching out for me, I am always safe with my daddy God watching out for me. Cuz there are real enemies out there.
And that’s what dads do.
(Also disclaimer…Skip and Stephanie are only about 10 years older than me. But he’s a pretty good dad still. 😎)
This Season.... 