Wait till Your Father Gets Home!

“Wait till your father gets home!” What feelings do these words evoke in your? Is it fear or even downright terror? In many households over many years, these words have been spoken to disobedient children. The implication has been clear that “father” will take care of any discipline issues when he arrives. This causes fear rather than anticipation of the time that the father would return home each day.

When my son was growing up, I tried very hard to never use that saying. I wanted the time that dad arrived home from work to be something we looked forward to every day. My husband and I worked hard at being on the same page where a discipline program was concerned. We followed the same pattern for the positive and negative consequences for behavior. Very seldom did I have to use the threat of a father’s hand of punishment.

In our home we often talked more about the need to wait until “daddy” comes home. This statement held a sense of anticipation. Not only were we waiting to spend time with daddy, we were looking forward to whatever was planned for that time. It could be a simple thing like having dinner. It could be a time to present a masterful creation that Jon had made that day. It could be an exciting outing. Everything that we planned to do was better when daddy was involved. We looked forward to sharing that part of our day together.

These two statements can also apply to our Heavenly Father.

How many people live their lives fearing punishment for their sins and trying to hide from God, their father? They attempt to run their own lives and do everything on their own. The thought of an encounter with God is not pleasant. The greatness of God can be overwhelming to those who do not know Him personally. Describing the greatness of God, the psalmist wrote, “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,” (Psalm 114:7 AMP) Someone who only knows of God’s power and authority without understanding His grace, mercy and forgiveness may truly fear His presence.

Others may know and actually enjoy His presence. But that does not mean that waiting for daddy is always something we desire to do. How often do not want to wait for God’s timing? Being hungry for things we think we need, we may want to eat now and not wait for a feast in God’s presence. Anticipating a plan for something great, even a ministry to others, we may want to run forward without the preparation and anointing of God’s Spirit. In the midst of trials awaiting God’s perfect deliverance can be extremely hard. In any of these cases we must fight the urge to move forward in our own power without the presence and direction of our Heavenly Father. The psalmist also encourages, “Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14 AMP)

With a proper attitude, we are excited to spend time totally aware of the Lord’s presence. Anything that we do is better when we acknowledge God’s presence and invite Him to join us. Following His lead, listening to His voice and witnessing all the wonderful things He provides is better than anything we could choose to do without Him. Although God is always with us, it is when we include Him in our thoughts and conversations that we truly experience His blessings. A conversation with the Lord through Bible reading and prayer can be a truly exciting experience. Sharing about our day and presenting what we have accomplished to our Abba makes everything more worthwhile. “And because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the [Holy] Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba (Father)! Father!” (Galatians 4:6 AMP)

We never have to fear God’s presence. When we have sinned we need to tell our Father God and receive the forgiveness He offers. We can then look with excitement to the time we will spend with daddy.

Are you waiting for “daddy” today? Invite the presence of God into your thoughts and actions and you will see that every experience of the day is better for it.