My favorite grandparent was my mom's dad whom we called "Papa."
A quiet, gentle soul, I always felt safe and at ease in his presence. Some of my earliest memories as a little girl were playing in his old work boots in the kitchen or sitting on the front porch swing on warm summer nights. His presence always felt like home to me. When I think of God the Father as an adult, I think of my kind, loving Papa.
Saint Paul writes to the Roman Christians that when we are led by the Spirit of God, we are living out of our identity as sons and daughters of God (Romans 8:12-17). The Spirit of God did not give or leave us a spirit of fear, anxiety, or slavery. Through the Holy Spirit, we have been spiritually adopted and we become fully alive; we become the women God desires us to be. Through this spiritual adoption, we can approach God in childlike beauty. We can approach the God and Creator of all, and lovingly call Him: Papa, Daddy, Papa Father.
At the Blessed is She Revival this summer in Grand Rapids, Michigan, one of the speakers invited all present to do two things. First, to ask God the Father a name He wishes to use for each one of us. And second, what is a name we can use to speak in our relationship with the Father? The name in prayer I use for God my Father is the same name I had for my favorite grandparent, Papa.
Spend time today with those same questions from the Revival.
What name does God your Father speak over you? And is there a special name for you to use for your Father?
LOVING GOD, LOVING OTHERS
A NEW WORKSHOP
COME BACK TO FIRST LOVE
