3 Things God Has For Us As A Loving Heavenly Father

Tiny cries. Teething. Sleepless nights.  

You may know a thing or two about those three things, but I am surely learning.  

I had the joy of my sister visiting me for a long weekend and she brought her baby… baby dog. An Australian Shepherd, 9 weeks old, one blue eye, one brown eye, full of energy and teething like it’s nobody’s business. That’s Talula!

The time spent with my sister and Talula reminded me of three things that God has for us as a loving, heavenly Father.

1. God’s provision

Talula chewed on everything from the couch cushions to the wooden chair legs to the socks and shoes she’d dig out from under my bed. It didn’t matter how many times we gently corrected her. We’d find her chewing on anything other than her toys. It reminded me: how often does God provide us with opportunities, people, and things that are good for us, and we still run the other way, looking for what feels good in the moment.

In Isaiah 55, God invites us into His grace and care. “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.” Not only that, but God is “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love. (Joel 2:13). Even when we’re participating in the wrong things, we’re only one prayer of repentance away from God’s compassion.

2. God’s direction. 

Once Talula got over the weird feeling of having a harness on (cue her tripping over thin air), we were able to take her for a walk. Every time she heard a car blast by, or a bicycle pedal past, she’d stop and turn to us. She was scared and didn’t know what to do. My sister and I were able to reassure her with pets, and soothing words and lead her on through our walk.

God is waiting to do the same thing for you and for me. When life gets overwhelming, when we don’t know where to go next, He’s waiting for us to turn to Him, and ask for direction. He wants to give us reassurance, and it doesn’t always come through His audible voice – it may be through a song, an interaction with a stranger or friend, an unusual bird in your backyard, or sometimes even a burning bush (Exodus 3:2). He wants to guide us in the plans He has for us. When we ask for direction, He gives signals that we’re on the right path. I encourage you to pray for God to reveal himself to you in your day to day.

In 2 Corinthians 7, Paul talked about Titus being sent to Corinth to encourage them, then when Titus returned, Paul was also encouraged by his presence.

3. God’s rest.

Talula’s energy goes from what seems like 100 mph to 0 in an instant. One moment she’s playing and running circles around us. The next, she’s tuckered out and wants to rest at our feet. I think rest is something most of us forsake these days. 

Yet, all throughout the Bible, God models rest for us. He worked to create the world, then on the seventh day, He rested (Genesis 2:2-3). During Jesus’ ministry, he modeled rest and even encouraged the disciples to get rest (Mark 6:31). We are called to do good works, and sometimes, that leaves us weary. When we’re feeling down, unmotivated, or burnt out, God doesn’t just invite us to rest, He modeled it for us.

On the car ride to the airport, after a weekend of nips and accidents, Talula rested her little head on my arm. In that moment, even with all the frustrations that passed in our time together, I was grateful for the experience. My time with my sister and Talula was a great reminder of God’s provision and love for us. Wherever you’re at this week, whether it’s in a bad habit, feeling unsure how to proceed, or needing some genuine rest, God is waiting for you to turn to Him. 

Take it from Talula; your needs, wants, and worries are not too much or too little for your loving, heavenly Father to care about or to help you through.