Daddy's Chair

It was a short walk down the hall to the livingroom, and if my Daddy was in "his" chair he was right in my line of vision. Daddy's chair always had an invisible "reserved" sign on it just for him. We all knew that if daddy was home, the chair was his. As I headed down the hall, he would look up from the TV and give me a smile.
I knew just what I was going to do, it was just what I needed to do and had needed to do all day long.
Even for a little girl life can be tough. Classmates can say mean things, tests can go all wrong, teachers would call on me at the worst times...especially the math teacher.
I could see the safest place in the world and I was going to get there as fast as I could. I never had to ask, it was just understood.
Daddy would begin to slide over in "his" chair making room me. I guess he could see the look in my eyes and the faint smile on my face, that said to him..."I need my Daddy."
Sliding in beside him, he would lean up and I would tuck my arm behind his back. Once we were all settled I would lay my head on his chest and shoulder, taking a deep breath.
The smell of my daddy after a day of work was something only a little girl would love. It was a mixture of sweat, deodorant, gas plant, beer and sometimes English Leather would be mixed in. I loved it...That was my daddy.
I would listen to his heart beat and the rush of air going in and out of his lungs.
All the "stuff" of the day would seem so much smaller or even disappear because I knew that my daddy loved me. Even if I didn't pass that stupid math test, or if that little girl called me a name...my daddy just loved me.
Sometimes we would talk, but most of the time we would just watch the evening news while the smell of my momma's home cooked dinner would fill the room.

(Mmmmm, I miss those meals. She was a magical cook, that is another smell that made me feel safe and loved.)

My earthly daddy still just loves me, it's an unconditional and safe love.

Because my daddy has always loved me that way, I was able to accept the love of my heavenly Daddy. It made since to me that God could love me...just love me.

Even though I am no longer that skinny, long legged, little girl and the issues of daily life have gotten more difficult, I still head for my Daddy's chair. But now my Daddy's chair is called a Throne. I see Him look up at me with a smile and I know that He has already made room for me with Him. I can crawl into His lap, lay my head on His chest and hear His heart beat for me. I can hear His breath as He breathes love and truth into my spirit. I am the safest, most loved little girl in the universe. Even if I didn't do something just right or someone says something mean about me...He is my Daddy and He just loves me.

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:15-16

Thank you my earthly daddy for letting me squish you in your chair, for hugging me until I am ready to let go, for just loving me and loving Jesus.....because of you I now have confidence to approach my heavenly Daddy and have no doubt that He will hold me and just love me...forever.

If you are tired today, look up and head for your Daddy's chair, he will recognize the look on your face that says.."I need my Daddy"...He will scoot over and there you will find mercy and grace to help you in your time of need. Because...He just loves you.