Abba’-“Father”, also used as the term of tender endearment by a beloved child-i.e. In an affectionate dependent relationship with their father, “daddy,” “papa.” (Bible hub.com).
When I think of the word daddy I think of two of the most incredible men that I have ever known. My daddy and my husband. I have never known a sweeter love than seeing my husband’s love for our four littles. I also experienced that kind of love with my own daddy growing up.
My dad is still my hero. He is definitely a one of a kind. He’s a rancher by trade, he adores my mom, and he loves God, he’s stubborn, and he’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. But as a a little girl growing up he was my whole world. I wanted nothing more than to make him proud, but whether we were successful or failed, on or off the court, he was there and was our biggest fan. (Well except for my mom, and for all of my teammates growing up know that no one out cheered my mom.) He was always there for us and we fist bumped before fist bumping was cool. It was his way of saying good job, rough game, or I love you without saying a word. He has never lied to us about our successes or failures, but he’s always there waiting with a wink and a nod or a fist bump. I love you’s may not have been said everyday, but we knew he loved us and still does. He wasn’t a perfect dad, but he is amazing and I wouldn’t change a thing. (And alas, I think I drove him crazy with all my talking, my never ending stories, and my unending energy growing up.)
The only time he hasn’t physically been there for us girls is when we were having our babies. That may seem harsh, but he couldn’t bear to see his girls in pain. But it was amazing how quickly he got to the hospital once those babies were here. Just as I believe it was hard for God to watch his own precious son be in pain and be tortured so that we could all have salvation. He knew the sacrifice Christ was making and He knew the pain only a parent can know watching their children hurt and die.
We see Christ praying in Gethsemane before He was crucified he called out to His daddy His Abba Father. And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for you; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36.) Shouldn’t we too call out to our Heavenly Father, our Abba?
I strive everyday to have this same relationship with my Heavenly Father. Just like my Daddy, our Heavenly Father is there for us when we fall down, when we fail, and when we succeed. I know that God is cheering us on throughout our lives and He’s also holding us in our valleys. Just like He was for Jesus, His son. After Jesus was baptized we see in Matthew 3:17,”This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (NIV) He is our father, our Abba. Let us cling to the precious love He has for us and become the sons and daughters that He is wanting us to be.
Be bold, Be brave, Be blessed!
Whitney