The Lord’s Prayer: Daddy’s Home

Growing up I was a daddy’s boy! Tagging along on the heels of my hero!

If dad was going to the store I wanted to go. To the dog pen, I was there. On the tractor or the lawn mower, that was me. Making a weekend trip to an out of town ballgame, I’m in (just make sure we hit the late night Shoney’s breakfast buffet). There were many afternoons he’d come home from work to find me waiting with a ball and glove ready to play catch. I couldn’t wait to look out the window knowing, “Daddy’s home!”

My childhood experience with my dad in our home was a picture of security and stability. Now don’t get me wrong. We had our bouts. Our spouts. And sometimes our shouts. But not one time did I ever question his permanence or his presence. For every morning he left for work there was sure to be a return to home.

From the stories I’ve heard it’s a generational theme of being a dad who’s present. My dad was like me with his dad. Always by his side. I never got to meet the man that shaped much of my dad’s character and his views of the world as a kid growing up in their small town.

I’m grateful for all my dad has shown me and taught me, ways he has disciplined me, and words he’s spoken to encourage me. But when I speak these words, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name,” there’s a matchless name that transcends everything any dad on this earth could ever be.

Think about this; our Father. The name Abba is literally a term of endearment; Daddy. Jesus goes on to say, ‘in heaven.’ What’s so beautiful about this salutation is the meshing of God’s transcendence and imminence. He is above all things while simultaneously among all things. Particularly, He’s above and among us.

This God that we call Father is majestic and sovereign over all creation. Standing firm above all He has made. Sitting confidently on His throne in heaven overlooking all that He’s placed in His very own hand.

Yet, He’s intimate and personal. Welcoming all of our plights as we address Him in the most sincere of ways; Daddy. That name can give us confidence knowing that only He can be addressed as such. No one else can or will ever fill that role in our spiritual lives.

What does our heavenly Father do? He lends His ear and makes good on His word to listen. He’s the protector and provider for our well being. He blankets our worries and fears with His steadfast promises and faithful presence. He speaks words of wisdom. He will not abdicate His responsibilities as our Father because it’s not in His nature to deny Himself.

The next phrase of this prayer, “hallowed be Your name,” reminds us of the reputation that precedes Him. The word hallowed literally means holy or consecrated. Honored and greatly revered. It’s who He is. His nature and character is preset with permanence to His position of holiness and perfection.

However, I’m not so naive to think that everyone had the same childhood as me. Or that everyone has experienced God as I have. That’s not everyone’s experience. Some people have such a terrible view of their earthly father that any lens of seeing God for who He really is has been blurred. What’s been done can’t be undone. Here’s a promise. There is hope. He is able.

For the abandoned, He rescues. For the abused, He heals. For the broken, He restores. For the weary, He gives rest. For the shamed, He is pleased with you. For those who feel unloved, He loves. For the ‘never good enoughs,’ He treasures you.

God is near. He’s intimate and personal. Ever-present. He’s watching. He’s listening. He’s always within arm’s reach and a spoken word.

God is mighty. He sits on the throne of heaven. He has all authority. Everything is under His control. Nothing escapes His sight or His mind.

God is holy. He’s time tested in all seasons and circumstances and proven Himself to be perfect. Faithful. Good. True.

Our Father in heaven–Daddy’s home!