I love you daddy

Yesterday my daughter, Rylee uttered the words “I love you daddy” for the first time.  It was in the parking lot of Gatti’s pizza of all places.  I kissed her and made a big deal of it, which prompted her to smile as if she had just won the Pulitzer prize…as far as I am concerned I had just won the prize. It took her a little over two years to say “I love you daddy”.  She doesn’t even fully know what it means, but hears me and mommy say it enough to repeat it back to us.

It got me to thinking…

I’ve been telling Rylee I love her since before she was born.  I’ve loved Rylee since the beginning – and there was nothing Rylee did to earn my love.  I love her because she’s mine.  She knows I love her, but has no idea as to the depths that I love her.  She knows we get her food, clothing and toys – but has no knowledge of the other things we do for her.  She knows to come running to daddy and mommy when she is scared or hurt.  She doesn’t know that daddy and mommy would give our lives up in the blink of an eye to protect her.  As she grows she’ll have the propensity to make us proud, and yet hurt us deeply too.  Regardless of whether she is making us proud, or wounding us with rebellion – we’ll love her.

And that’s how your heavenly Father feels about you.  He has been loving you since before you were born, “For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13 Our Father’s love has been steadfast since the beginning, “As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you.” John 15:9 Our Father was willing to give up His Son because of His love for us, “For God so love the world that He gave his one and only son…” John 3:16 Our Father has loved us despite of ourselves, “But God, who is abundant in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses.”  Ephesians 2:4-5.

So tell your heavenly Father…your abba “daddy” Father you love Him today, but remember – He’s been loving you all along.

– Brad