This month’s calendar includes a day to honor fathers, but I want to tell you a true story about two mothers, my role models, and the way they thanked their heavenly Father for blessings.
My ninety-eight-year-old mother-in-law, Carolyn, went to her heavenly home earlier this year. When the family prepared to sell her home, I removed the plaque you see in the title photo. It hung on the wall over her table where we had eaten delicious fried chicken and biscuits for decades.
Carolyn had written my mother’s name and the year 2014 on the back of the plaque. Mama gave it to Carolyn as a birthday gift in August of that year. Mama died the following December.
Life was hard for these two beloved ladies, who each lost their fathers to tragic events during childhood. As girls and young women, they lived in near poverty and struggled through trials and disappointments.
Yet both surrendered their lives to Christ and lived lives of joy-filled faith in their heavenly Father. Rather than complain, each of them exhibited a cheerful outlook and gratitude for His blessings.
Today when I prayed about what I’d share with you, I looked above my desk and read the words on the front of Carolyn’s plaque. “God our Father, we thank You for our many blessings.”
Although we’ll honor fathers we know this month, let’s pause to focus on our heavenly Father. In a passage where Paul calls Christians to live a holy life and separate themselves from sinful living, he includes God’s promise,
‘I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 6:18 NKJV
Imagine the privilege—sons and daughters of Almighty God.
Imagine the privilege—sons and daughters of Almighty God. Click To Tweet
My mother and mother-in-law understood although their earthly father was absent, their heavenly Father adopted them into His family (Romans 8:14-16) because they’d previously surrendered their lives to Christ. They knew the truth of John 1:12,
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
John 1:12 NKJV
The words “receive” and “believe” in this passage define God’s children as those who acknowledge Jesus as God’s Son, the Messiah, and surrender their lives to Him. Jesus clearly says, He is God’s only provision for salvation and eternal life with Him (John 14:6).
As God’s children, we can look in the Bible and list His numerous attributes which describe Him as the perfect Father. Today, let’s focus on those David recorded in Psalm 103:8-14. As we read the passage, let’s pause to thank Him for each quality.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.For He knows our frame;
Psalm 103:8-14 NKJV
He remembers that we are dust.
Take the truth with you
As we read Scripture this month, let’s list on paper or in an electronic journal the attributes of God we notice and how they make a difference in our relationship with Him. Let’s ask Him to show us the kind of Father He is and why we can trust Him. This practice will surely deepen our love for Him and remind us to pray the words on my mother-in-law’s plaque: “God our Father, we thank You for our many blessings,” including the privilege of being Your child.
Let’s hear from you
I hope you’ll share in the comment section your favorite attribute of our heavenly Father or an encouraging verse about Him. How does knowing about God help you trust Him?
Here’s a link to a post with memories of my dad. Memories of My Dad
Habakkuk 3:19 is my go to verse. “He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He enables me to go on the heights.” Any time I am struggling or facing obstacles I remind myself that in God’s strength I can overcome.
Jen, thank you for reading and adding that powerful verse. I hope to remember it the next time I face obstacles. In our weakness, He is strong.
We do have so much to be thankful for. Our heavenly Father provides, protects, and nurtures us even when we don’t realize it. I like your idea of writing a list of God’s attributes. This will make us more aware of how much He loves us.
Barbara, I love your statement, “Our heavenly Father provides, protects, and nurtures us even when we don’t realize it.” If we remembered that truth, I think anxiety and worry would flee more quickly. Thanks so much for this valuable contribution.
I am thankful for His love and forgiveness. My Daddy went to Heaven on Easter Sunday, April 12, 1998. I miss him very much. He taught me to read the Bible and shared his favorite verse. John 3:16
Melissa, what a sweet memory of your dad teaching you to read the Bible and sharing his favorite verse. I’m sure you miss such a godly father. I’m also thankful for His love and forgiveness. Although He knows we sometimes fail Him, He loves and forgive. Thank you, Melissa.
“God is love.” This is my absolute favorite attribute and definition of who God is because everything he does flows from this.
Terri, that’s a perfect summary. Those three words, “God is love,” are filled with meaning. You’re right, “everything He does flows from this. “Thanks so much, Terri.
What a sweet, encouraging post. I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father is faithful. I have seen His faithfulness again and again in my life and the life of my family. We would not have made it through some very challenging times without His tender care.
Stacey, His faithfulness reminds us we can trust His promises. I’m glad you mentioned this attribute, and I rejoice with you over memories of His faithfulness through the years. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
Thank you, Jeannie, for introducing us to these beautiful and godly women who had such an impact on your life. Our Father, Abba, knows just what we need. Blessings!
I am still amazed by how much God loves me. Thanks for reminding me Jeannie.
Me, too, Yvonne. His love is amazing. Reading in Psalms reminds us.
So many scripture verses I am wont to rattle off Ms. Jeannie, but the overwhelming thought I have (beyond a heartfelt thank you) is two, two-word phrases. I think these are two that Abba Father loves to hear, and they are two that I’m certain your mama and mama-in-love said often; “Thank You” and “Love You”. I don’t really understand why, but we don’t say these two phrases to God nearly often enough. God’s blessings ma’am; and thank you so much for sharing joyful memories with us.
J. D., I agree. Sharing our heart and telling our heavenly Father we love Him and thanking Him for our blessings are opportunities to relate to Him as a beloved child, accepted in the beloved. Thanks so much for your comment.
I don’t recall my earthly father ever setting foot in a church, yet he knew and loved our Heavenly Father to the nth degree. I appreciate the few, yet powerful, words you added to your mother-in-love’s plaque–including the privilege of being Your child–because it is a privilege to have Him as a father who never leaves or forgets us. Thanks for sharing.
Peggy, I’m glad you added the truth He never leaves or forsakes us. What a comfort to trust Him even when we aren’t aware of all His blessings.
Thank you, Jeannie, for your practical tips to deepen our appreciation for God, our Father. You created a lovely post and tribute.
I’m glad you found the tips helpful, Annie. Thank you for sharing. Many of us were taught as children to thank God for our blessings, but as we mature in Christ, I think studying His attributes deepens our gratitude.
Thank you, Jeannie, for this touching story of these two faithful women. I know you will treasure the plaque. There are so many things I am grateful to our Father for, but the two I will share are His great love for us and His forgiveness. When we stray, He is always there to help us find our way back to Him.
Katherine, I’m glad you mentioned forgiveness. I’m thankful Jesus not only paid the penalty for our sins, but He forgives and fills us with His love when we confess them. He is worthy of our praise.
Thank you, Jeannie, for this reminder of all the blessings we receive from our heavenly Father. I appreciated each of those verses!
Kathy, I’m glad the verses were a blessing to you. The more I study His attributes as I read in the Psalms, the deeper my gratitude becomes for our loving Heavenly Father.