Children of God

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.  Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,Father.”  So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:4-7

So I had a revelation today about my daughter.  I have an adopted daughter, and she is my only daughter among three boys.  I am VERY thankful and give ALL the credit to God to say that all four of my children have given their lives to Christ and been obedient in going through Believer's Baptism!  It brings me so much joy as a parent to see your child come to God in faith and place their trust in Jesus Christ.  I believe God celebrates in a similar tune but infinitely much more when one of His children repent and turn to Him...more on that later.

My daughter has special needs and some of her needs really put a strain on our family at times.  Her emotions do not always stay in check; her temper is a challenge, and she can be impossible to communicate with when she gets into "that" state of mind.  When she is in a good spot, she is quite possible the sweetest girl on the planet.  Everyone at church says she has a beautiful smile and is "always happy".  And she is.  When she gets home and comfortable, and especially in danger areas (being tired, being hungry, being frustrated or embarrassed) a switch can flip and her mother and I can just about have enough of her.  However, that being said, we love her as unconditionally as we can.  It's not a feeling most of the time, but an action and a commitment.  Not unlike how God sees us as Paul in his letter to the Galatians calls us His adopted children.

When we act out, don't listen and get ourselves in a state where God cannot communicate with us, I'm quite sure He can get frustrated with us.  He can probably even have anger, but because He is God, He loves all of us - His children -  unconditionally.  This single thought has challenged me to have even more patience with all of my children, but especially with my daughter.  God created her just the way she is, and when she is "driving me crazy"  - I have to do two things:
(1) Have patience and know that God has the same feelings about me when I trip and fall
(2) Look at me and evaluate where I am spiritually that day.  If something is bothering me about her behavior, then something is off kilter with me.

I am thankful for the opportunity to grow closer to God by being entrusted as my daughter's parent.  I pray I can be a better, more godly father.  After all, she is a daughter of God, and therefore my sister in Christ.  I'm also grateful for the reminder that as a child of God, He's not done working and parenting me yet, either.