Susie Dunning
Apr 18, 20192 min
“It’s a good thing you’re pretty because you are so stupid and lazy you would never amount to anything,” said my absentee dad more than once in various ways.
I am the seventh of eight children. Invisible and quiet in a very beautiful and lively family. I was eighth on the list of my dad’s favorites. Oh, and I blamed him for my failed marriages, my poverty, my depression, and my lack of self-esteem.
Then I met this Dad, one who said, “You are loved, you are worthy, you are mine.” You see, I received God’s Spirit when He adopted me as His own child. Now I call Him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with my spirit to affirm that I am God’s child. (John 3:16, Zephaniah 3:17, 1 John 3:1, Romans 8:15).
In other words, Jesus died on the cross to make his father accessible to be our father. When we become His child, God shows us His way of redemption.
When I accepted God’s love, my eyes were open and I was able to forgive my dad, understanding he had his own stuff. Please see my heart, I love my dad, there is so much good about him, I don't want to disparage him. I began taking responsibility for who I wanted to become, choosing a peaceful life over despair and bad choices, and believing that I was created for a purpose.
Maybe your parent has favorites. Maybe you are/were mistreated or ignored. Maybe you were the one who was favored. Maybe you had incredible parents who represented God, so you fully understand the love of a Father in heaven.
No matter your circumstance, no matter your current situation. This holy week, Jesus’s death and resurrection represents a chance for you to accept God’s love fully. He sees you. He loves you. Forgive. Keep running after Him.
“How He loves us, oh how He loves us all.”
~ David Crowder.
Loved,
Susie