Thoughts for the Day

God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Do you remember the days of trying to teach your baby to say 'Mum' or 'Dad', and which word would they say first? In my family it was the tradition to use Christian names (because my mother hated the name 'Mum' which was the name for a popoular deodorant at the time, and declared "I'm a Christian, so I would like my Christian name to be used!"). So it was 'Olive' and 'Bob' in my family. Now all was well until I had children myself. My husband's name was Adrian and he claimed that 'Ad' had become 'Da-Da' (because when you keep saying it over and over again it does change!). Actually, I thought it was just one one of those natural sounds that babies make!

Our reading from the letter to the Galatians uses the word 'Abba!' for God, which is the equivalent of 'Daddy'. We are children of God and we have the closest of all relationships to God. We should be able to turn to Him in the same way a baby turns to a beloved parent whenever we are in need.

Saturday 15th August, follow up thoughts

Father God,
Your Son taught us
that we are Your children
and can turn to You as our Father.
Never let us forget
this relationship -
when life is good
or when life is difficult.
Amen.