My Father Loves Me: He Calls Me by Name!

Now that I am retired I am going to change my weekly blog to a daily journal/devotion - probably much shorter and focusing on one basic spiritual theme. It will still come from gleaning the Scripture, supplemented by what else I am reading that day.

I went to a weekly men's group meeting this morning. It is based on a book called "Be A Man!" by Father Larry Richards. And we are on Chapter 2: Be a Man Who Lives as a Beloved Son. The main scripture passage Father Larry shared was from Isaiah 43:1-7 (I have shortened, paraphrased and highlighted the part that really caught my attention):

But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, ... Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters ... you won't drown
When you walk through the fire ... you won't burn

Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you,

Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.

I have always known that God, my Father in heaven, loves me. But I think it is mostly head knowledge. I have not known what a father's love feels like. I have what is popular these days, a "Father Wound" (I just googled that term and I got tons of things to read including this one from Patheos). It took Father Larry years in seminary and many 24 hour retreats to truly know what our Heavenly Father's love is like. I do spend time each day to get to know this Father but it's more out of discipline than spending time with someone I love. I am looking for more opportunity to do contemplative prayers based on short scripture passage like this one:

"I have summoned you by name; you are mine."

Oh may I truly appreciate the fact that the God of the Universe knows me by name and He tells everyone - I belong to HIM!!!