While lying in bed one night, I began thinking of the face of God and quickly realized that all I saw were the pictures that man’s sin had painted of Him in my imagination – not a true image of what He really looks like!
I found myself asking, “How can I know what You look like?” He answered me so sweetly, “My child, look not at the images men have painted before you. For they have painted them in their own image, and forgotten that it was I that made them in my image.” So asked of my Father yet again, “Then what do you look my Father? How can I look into Your face if I don’t know what it is I’m looking for? Are You in the trees, the breeze, the birds, the streams? What are you?”
He reply again, so gently, “My child, look at the at the arms of a father holding his newborn child – they are My arms! Look at the feet of one running to and fro in My services – they are my feet! Look at the toes of a baby, curled with delight – they are mine! Look at the soft, forgiving eyes of a parent when their child does wrong – those are my eyes! Look at the tears of the one that weeps for another man’s sorrow – they are my tears! Look at the hands of a mother, wiping the fevered brow of her little one – those are my hands! Look at the lips of a mother lovingly kissing her child’s wound – they are my lips! Listen to the joyful, sweet, songs of truth drifting through the breeze – they are mine to you! Smell the sweet smell of a new born baby – I gave it! Read the worn bible, left to collect dust on grandmother’s shelf long after she has passed away – those are My love letters to you! Now, my child do you see me?”
“Do you hear My soft voice encouraging you? Do feel My hands caring for you? My arms carrying you? My eye forgiving you? My tears weeping with you? My lips comforting you? My feet running to serve you? My smell contenting you? And My letters loving, teaching, carrying, rejoicing, rebuking, weeping and yet loving you all the more? My child do you know me now?”
I replied ,with a heart bursting full with Him, “Oh yes Lord! Now I see, smell, feel, hear and know You so clearly! Oh my Father, thank you, and I love you!
“Goodnight,” I said. “And goodnight to you too, my child – and I will keep you!” Was His reply.
By: Brystol Reckner
Photo Credit: Flickr
