The Hero Heart of God

I've been thinking about my dad a lot lately. The last couple of days in particular I've realized in words something I've always felt. My dad was my hero and demonstrated to me a glimpse of the hero heart of God.

My dad was my protector. Mind you, he wasn't a very big man in stature. Shorter than most, really. But if angered or sent into Papa Bear mode, even the biggest man was wise to think twice before messing with him. When I was chased by neighborhood kids, one look at my father's face made them turn tail and run the other way; and one of my most cherished memories was when I was 13 and in the hospital because of a car accident, my dad took charge and walked thru that hospital like he owned the place. He was there before visiting hours and stayed as late as he deemed necessary and no one would have been able to stop him without a fight. When I was little, he took me to an amusement park and I wanted to try that ride with the swings that swing way out and round and round. When I became scared to death, my father tried with all his might to get the guy to stop that ride. Honestly, I thought he might punch him. My dad did everything he could to "save" me. As scared as I was, I absolutely loved him for how hard he was trying to get to me. When the ride finally stopped, he scooped me into his strong arms and made me feel safe again.

Yesterday, my sister and niece were in a pretty bad car accident. My dad's been gone for 10 years now but our Abba Father, "an ever-present help in times of trouble" (Psalm 46:1) took charge of the situation. His angels protected them in that car and good friends - some my sister's, some my niece's - immediately showed up at the scene seemingly from out of nowhere helping them and calming them while they waiting for the police and ambulance. The car is wrecked, probably totaled but they are both home and fine albeit with a few bumps and bruises. God is my Hero - and theirs.

Like my dad, God has protected me from some things, comforted me thru others. Unlike my dad, though, who ultimately had to yield to authority in a given situation, my Father God IS the Authority in EVERY situation and nothing and nobody gets in His way when it comes to His beloved children.

I love the Hero heart of God and am thankful to have had an example of it in my earthly father.

Be blessed.
Melanie