My dear friends, "I invite you to listen carefully as the Holy Spirit weaves a blanket under which we can all struggle and be blessed. This is a rare opportunity for us to examine the inner channels of our Father’s heart." On behalf of the many fathers who genuinely love and cherish their children, I dedicate this. The words of one such father has been translated in the following scripture, " So don’t be afraid little flock, for it gives the father great happiness to give you the kingdom." Imagine that, a father taking pleasure in giving, not receiving. A real father is both generous and giving. He gives to the point of satisfaction, not detriment, for he would never allow any harm to come to his children. "Yea though I walk through the valley with death all around me, "I’m not even scared" because Dad is with me." Psalm 23:4 (paraphrased)

God proved his love at Calvary. There, he allowed the government to arrest, convict, try, sentence, and put to death his only child. Imagine as he watched in horror, the guilty putting the innocent to death. Listen as his son’s shrill cry pierce the silence of the still night. Feel your heart ache as you see him bleeding and watch the sweat, like droplets of blood, soak the ground underneath. Stand in awe as the earth tremor and convulse at the thought of someone killing the Creator’s son. Gaze at the heavens as darkness fill the starless sky. Pick up the Jerusalem Times and read the headlines, "THEY MURDERED HIM WITHOUT A CAUSE." I can’t think of a better way to describe it than did John 15:3, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

A good father teaches his children the essence of love. Thank God for Jesus. Because of his love, we now know true love. He is the ointment that heals the scars of life; even the ones we bring on ourselves through disobedience.

The greatest tragedy facing man today is not death, sickness, or disease, but the absence of the Father’s Love. Crack houses, homeless shelters, our city’s streets, and unbelievably so, even our churches are filled with individuals who have not experienced a personal encounter with our Father. They, like Peter, know nothing of him, let alone his unconditional love. These are the world’s orphans, but God longs to change all of that. He yearns to hold, cuddle, and whisper comforting words as would any good father. They’re orphaned ( but not for long); destitute (but not left alone ) . The adoption process began at Calvary. On Golgotha’s Rugged Hill, an exchange was made. The writer of Hebrews declares, "That by the grace of God Jesus should taste death for every one… for both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren." Hebrews 2:9-11 (KJV) Wrap yourself in the comfort of God’s words and feel the warmth of his tender touch.

Jesus darkest moment was not his nail pierced hands, nor his crown of thorns, but that dreadful moment when Dad was not there. He didn’t cry to Pilate for mercy, he cried out , "My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me." His comfort, hope, security, and his provision was gone. So for Jesus, "It truly was finished." The same is true for us. Without the divine love of our Father, our life is meaningless and we are finished as well. This world is suffering, our children are suffering. For What???? "The Father’s Love."

Travestine Wright