Thornleigh Seventh-day Adventist Church (Sydney, Australia)

Home > Online Magazine > Online Magazine: Edition 44 - December 2011 / January 2012 > My Father's Smile (by Glenda Marlin)

My Father's Smile

by Glenda Marlin

 
My Father's Smile - God smiles on us too!

 
Listening to songs on a CD the words of one song struck a strong chord with me.  The words were 'In a little while we'll be with the Father, can't you see Him smile'. 

A memory that I will always carry with me goes back to my Father's final hospitalisation.  Dad was very ill, and spent six weeks in hospital before finally passing away.  I used to make sure that I visited him everyday.  Dad's bed was near the door and there was a chair for him to sit on between the bed and the wall.  It was not until you entered the room completely that you could see each other if he was sitting in the chair.  This evening Dad was sitting in the chair and as I entered the room and we saw each other his face broke into this most welcoming smile.  Dad was always glad to see me; I don't know what made this day more special - maybe he had had an unpleasant day with hospital procedures; maybe I was running late and he thought I was not coming - I don't know.  What I do know was that there was no question Dad was glad to see me.  Dad was glad I had chosen to come.  Dad wanted my company.

As I mused over the lyrics of the song and thought of this time with my Dad I thought God the Father is no different.  God the Father is separated from me his child.  God the Father wants my company.  God the Father wants me to choose to spend time with Him.

I believe that God the Father, Jesus my Brother and the Holy Spirit are eagerly waiting for the declaration in Heaven 'It is finished'.  I can hear God the Father saying to Jesus 'Hurry, hurry.  Bring my children home.  Everything is ready.  I just can't wait to meet each one face to face and spend eternity with them'.

God wants us to choose Him.  But God will not coerce.  God allows us to make the decision.  Do we want to visit our Father?  Do we want to spend eternity with Him?

Numbers 6:25 - May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you

Psalms 67:1 - May God be merciful and bless us.  May His face smile with favour on us.

Zephaniah 3.17 - For the LORD your God is living among you…He will take delight in you with gladness.

2Cor 6:18 - And I will be your Father and you will be my sons and   daughters, says the Lord Almighty

Home > Online Magazine > Online Magazine: Edition 44 - December 2011 / January 2012 > My Father's Smile (by Glenda Marlin)