Running to the Father

On Sunday morning, John and I,  along with three of our grandchildren, drove into the church parking lot where our son-in-love serves as executive pastor.   After exiting the car, I saw my ten year old granddaughter, Aubrey, begin to run with excitement toward someone.  I called out after her, concerned about the oncoming traffic.    She either did not hear me or chose not to listen.   I thought to myself, “She sees one of her friends.”    That was not the case.  

She saw her daddy in the distance and she sprinted to catch him as he was talking with a church member and walking into the worship center.    Aubrey was laser focused.  She saw her daddy and nothing was going to stop her or distract her from reaching him. 

As Aubrey’s full weight hit her daddy mid chest, she threw her arms around him.  He stopped in his tracks, smiled and reciprocated the hug.     It was a precious moment to behold.  After the hug, she continued to walk with him as they entered the worship center together. 

Aubrey was not running to ask her daddy a question or to obtain something from him.  She was simply running into his arms to express her love and to be with her daddy.  

How often do I run to my heavenly Father without any agenda?  Usually when I run to Him it is with a purpose in mind.  I need something from Him or want Him to do something.   At best I’m pouring my heart out to Him about someone.  At worst I’m complaining about something.  

The Lord wants us to come to Him with everything.  Nothing is too small or too big.  

Yet very rarely do I run to Him to just express my love to Him.  To just be with Him and enjoy  His presence. 

No matter what is going on in my life He will always run toward me to demonstrate His unconditional love and grace toward me.  The parable of the son who left home and squandered his inheritance and returned to his father’s arms wide open running toward him reminds us of this truth.  (Luke 15)  

As we approach Easter, let’s be the ones to make time to run to Him with our arms wide open.   Make a decision to come into His presence with no agenda but to be in His presence and relish in His love.  

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11