Good, Good Father
by Melissa Quintos
As a single parent, I have made a conscious decision to instill in my son that he has a Heavenly Father who loves him more than I can ever love him. And the more I encounter the Father's love for me, the more I want to point him to the Father and pray for him to encounter that same love. Psalm 68:5 tells us, “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.”
To be perfectly honest, I struggled to believe this verse for a long time. At times, I feel like Jordan needs an earthly father. My momma heart has cried out to the Lord pleading, “God, would you please send someone who can show him what it’s like to be a man of God?” One of my favorite verses that is so near and dear to my heart is in Psalm 34:10. It says, “…but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” None! And the truth is, Jordan is so blessed beyond measure. Not only is he aware of a Heavenly Father who has no limitations, but he is also aware that we have an amazing church family who loves us and cares for us. Some of you who have walked very closely with us these past several years have been witnesses of God’s goodness and faithfulness over our lives.
A few months ago, the Lord had asked me to release some things to make room for the next season he was inviting us into. Don’t you love it when the Lord gives you a word or two and you are like, ok God can you tell me more, and it’s like crickets? We have all been there, and some of us obey exactly how he leads us (even with the unknown) because we know He only wants the best for us! Two months later, I started a new job for a company which, unbeknown to me, carries this mission statement: Bringing experienced professionals together with exceptional organizations, while honoring God.
What a confirmation that I am exactly where God wants me to be!
Friends, we can trust Him with all the details because He is a good, good Father!
A week after I started, the owners invited me to join the company for their ‘20 Year Jubilee’ celebration. It’s basically a free trip to some oceanfront resort in Florida for six days. Like seriously?!! They don’t even know me and I have not even done anything to earn this? I have been so excited in the last few weeks in anticipation for this trip (and God knows I desperately need a vacation). Every night Jordan would pray for my trip and wish he was going as well.
Well, several nights ago something shifted in Jordan’s prayer. He was no longer wishing he was going. Nope! It was one of those prayers where he “pulled heaven down” type of prayer. It was as if he boldly entered the Father's throne room and prayed with expectant faith “God, I know you can do it. You have been a good, good Father to me and my Mommy.” Then he went to sleep. (That must be that child-like faith Jesus taught about in his days.)
As he was asleep, I prayed for the Lord to give me peace and the words to tell my boss that I would not be joining them. But, the very next morning, my boss called me to tell me he had spoken with one of the owners and said that they would really like me to be there, and they were fine with Jordan being there as well.
Matthew 7:9 says, “Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?”
Do you sometimes wrestle with some of these truths written in the Bible?
Do you sometimes think you have to earn God’s love, his grace, or earn his favor?
Or do you believe God’s promises are true for others but unable to receive them for you?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then I pray that during this fast, you will have a deeper revelation of the Father’s love for YOU. He truly is a good, good Father who cares deeply about YOU. And He wants to give good gifts to his children. Will you receive it?
I want to leave you with a verse I often pray over Jordan, and it is Psalm 23:6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life.”
Brothers and Sisters - let us be a people who are rooted and grounded in God’s Word.
As a single parent, I have made a conscious decision to instill in my son that he has a Heavenly Father who loves him more than I can ever love him. And the more I encounter the Father's love for me, the more I want to point him to the Father and pray for him to encounter that same love. Psalm 68:5 tells us, “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.”
To be perfectly honest, I struggled to believe this verse for a long time. At times, I feel like Jordan needs an earthly father. My momma heart has cried out to the Lord pleading, “God, would you please send someone who can show him what it’s like to be a man of God?” One of my favorite verses that is so near and dear to my heart is in Psalm 34:10. It says, “…but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” None! And the truth is, Jordan is so blessed beyond measure. Not only is he aware of a Heavenly Father who has no limitations, but he is also aware that we have an amazing church family who loves us and cares for us. Some of you who have walked very closely with us these past several years have been witnesses of God’s goodness and faithfulness over our lives.
A few months ago, the Lord had asked me to release some things to make room for the next season he was inviting us into. Don’t you love it when the Lord gives you a word or two and you are like, ok God can you tell me more, and it’s like crickets? We have all been there, and some of us obey exactly how he leads us (even with the unknown) because we know He only wants the best for us! Two months later, I started a new job for a company which, unbeknown to me, carries this mission statement: Bringing experienced professionals together with exceptional organizations, while honoring God.
What a confirmation that I am exactly where God wants me to be!
Friends, we can trust Him with all the details because He is a good, good Father!
A week after I started, the owners invited me to join the company for their ‘20 Year Jubilee’ celebration. It’s basically a free trip to some oceanfront resort in Florida for six days. Like seriously?!! They don’t even know me and I have not even done anything to earn this? I have been so excited in the last few weeks in anticipation for this trip (and God knows I desperately need a vacation). Every night Jordan would pray for my trip and wish he was going as well.
Well, several nights ago something shifted in Jordan’s prayer. He was no longer wishing he was going. Nope! It was one of those prayers where he “pulled heaven down” type of prayer. It was as if he boldly entered the Father's throne room and prayed with expectant faith “God, I know you can do it. You have been a good, good Father to me and my Mommy.” Then he went to sleep. (That must be that child-like faith Jesus taught about in his days.)
As he was asleep, I prayed for the Lord to give me peace and the words to tell my boss that I would not be joining them. But, the very next morning, my boss called me to tell me he had spoken with one of the owners and said that they would really like me to be there, and they were fine with Jordan being there as well.
Matthew 7:9 says, “Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?”
Do you sometimes wrestle with some of these truths written in the Bible?
Do you sometimes think you have to earn God’s love, his grace, or earn his favor?
Or do you believe God’s promises are true for others but unable to receive them for you?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then I pray that during this fast, you will have a deeper revelation of the Father’s love for YOU. He truly is a good, good Father who cares deeply about YOU. And He wants to give good gifts to his children. Will you receive it?
I want to leave you with a verse I often pray over Jordan, and it is Psalm 23:6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life.”
Brothers and Sisters - let us be a people who are rooted and grounded in God’s Word.