What father among you, if his son asks for[d] a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”Luke 11: 11 – 13

We recently had the difficult road of watching my father succumb to long illness yet pass away in a very sudden manner. As such, it fell to me to organise the funeral and according to his final wishes lead the service.

It was a daunting task, it was my role to represent my father’s life and legacy to the gathered mourners and to share with them his personality and values. When preparing, I was able to share a biography of him as well as relate aspects of who he was. Yet repeatedly I was confronted by how much of a quiet provider my father was.

This wasn’t just in relation to material items but also how he provided strength and support at any time of the day or night. We laughed about how he set up toy trains on Christmas Eve and accidentally woke all the children in the neighbourhood. Or at another Christmas I was awoken and was convinced I heard my Uncle downstairs. As I went to make my way down I found my father at the bottom holding a brand new green bike. I was shocked and asked if my uncle had been or had Santa truly arrived. I was given a very quickly mumbled excuse and put back to bed.

Stories and memories like these caused me to remember, if this was how good my earthly father was to me then how much more would my Heavenly father be to me? Just as I could be sure of my own father’s heart towards me, how much more can I be convinced of the Father’s heart to me.

Today be assured that God the Father is for you, not against you and he wants to lavish you with the gifts he has at his disposal. Beginning with the gift of his love. Love that will never hold back or run out and that is all entirely for you.

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