Isn’t it amazing that we have access to God through Jesus. His life, death, and ultimately his resurrection, give us this access. He is our everlasting father. He is our peace. He is our hope. He is our protector. And above all else, he is our Lord and Savior. We must strive to be like him. He is the example of how we should love others. The Bible is full of stories showing us how we should do this. God will not give up on us. He will be there. Even when we turn our back on him, and run from him, he will be there. Waiting for our return. Even when we break his heart, he will be there. His love will not waiver. The story of the Prodigal Son is a great example of this. The father in the story never gave up hope. Always praying for his son‘s return. I have a similar experience.
My high school basketball coach became my father figure after my dad passed away. I was 15. Throughout high school, he used his position in my life to teach me values and lessons of life. I always found it interesting that he would find out what I was doing. And he would make sure to correct me in his not so subtle ways. (Those that knew him, will understand this.) All the while, I never wanted to accept his teachings. I was determined to be my own man. Didn’t think I needed him. As I got into college, I drifted away from him. Started to really follow my own path. Made my own decisions. My own choices. Which would eventually lead me to being paralyzed.
In the hospital, before I could even talk, those around me told me he was going to come visit. I didn’t want to see him. I didn’t want to hear his lessons. I was embarrassed because I was paralyzed doing things that he told me I shouldn’t do. I had let him down. When he came in, I remember being anxious. Waiting for him to say something to correct me. But all he did was bend down and kiss me on my forehead. I will never forget that. He was still there for me. I knew I was in for a long road. But, I also knew he was in my corner. I could face what I had ahead of me. And in January 1992, he is the one who led me to Christ. He had never given up. Always loved me. Just as Christ loves us. He always has. He always will.
