My Father's Hand-Painted Rooms

A friend of mine just finished creating a pink princess room for her three-year-old daughter. I was amazed at the finished product and at how hard I knew my friend worked to complete the project. My friend also has a six-month-old son! When I received the picture of the painted and decorated room, I had to ask, “How did you do all of this in just a few days with two little ones?”

My friend told me that she and her husband tag-teamed it. As they worked, her daughter kept saying, “Thank you, Mommy. Thank you, Daddy.” When I read that, my eyes filled with tears. What a beautiful picture of what I want my heart to be doing.

Our good Father God is always at work in and around us. Too often, I find myself complaining or worrying about what I don’t see happening instead of focusing on and being thankful for what is happening. Thinking about how that precious three-year-old could not get any of the changes to her room done also made me think of myself and the Lord. He knows what we can and cannot do. He remembers that we are dust. He sees the longings of our hearts and many times knows He is the only one who can cause those longings to be fulfilled. Because He is good, sovereign, and faithful, we can trust that he is working for our best interest.

God sent Jesus to do everything we could not do for ourselves. Because Jesus was willing to leave his world, enter ours, and do the work of paying for our sin and redeeming us, we get to be his children today. We have access to his peace, presence, and grace, none of which we could have obtained for ourselves. Just like that sweet three-year-old, I cannot fix things or make them right, but I have a good Father who can.

There is so much I want God to do that I have no control over. I can pray. I can be in His Word so that I am beholding Him and being transformed. I can repent and move forward in faith in love, but ultimately, I can’t change myself or anyone else. I need the Lord, through the power of the gospel, to do that. And thankfully, He does. 

Romans 8:28 tells us that He is working all things together for good for those of us who love him and are called according to his purpose. 

What are you longing for? Is it a son or a daughter to know the Lord? Is it for peace in your home? Is it for peace in your heart? Call out to the Lover of your soul and ask. While you ask, look around for how and where he is at work. Maybe join me in praying, “Oh Father would you let the cry of my heart more often be, ‘Thank you Daddy.” as my eyes are fixed in wonder at all you are doing.”