I first began to imagine the Heavenly Father as a kind Father while I was reading Corrie ten Boom’s, The Hiding Place back in the ’70’s. Corrie’s father was a safe place for her to go to and share her heart. Because her father was a safe place, it helped me understand how she was able to trust the Heavenly Father as her hiding place.

I cannot remember all the details, but I believe they were on a train when Corrie asked her father some questions about sex.

He told her to lift the suitcase and put it on the luggage rack. But she wasn’t strong enough to lift it. He smiled and picked up the case and lifted it into its place.

Then he said gently, just as he carried the suitcase because she wasn’t strong enough to carry it, there were things in life he would carry for her until the appropriate moment. In the meantime, he asked her to trust him to carry the case for her.

That picture of a loving father carrying a case too heavy for his child made a deep imprint on my imagination.

Was it possible God the Heavenly Father felt such compassion for me? That if something was too difficult for me, He was happy to carry it for me?

That question set me on a journey where I have learned Corrie’s dad reflected the Father heart of God, who is full of compassion for His children.

The Heavenly Father loves to carry the heavy cases, those things too difficult for us to bear. In fact, He is happy to carry all our burdens.

He delights when we run into His loving arms and allow Him to be our hiding place.

Dear Heart

You may be a dad who struggles, feeling there is much you need to learn. That is okay. The Heavenly Father wants to carry your burdens and He wants to teach you to bless your children.

May the Father’s blessing rest upon you. May He strengthen you, fill you with compassion for your children and enable you to communicate with them, even as Corrie’s dad lovingly communicated with her.

You may not have a dad who is safe. But the Heavenly Father is worthy of your trust. He has a deep and abiding love for you. Let Him carry the cases you struggle with; let Him bless you with the sweetness of His presence. He is a safe place!

May the Lord be your hiding place. May you learn to rest hidden in Him as He preserves you from trouble. May you allow Him to compass you about with songs of deliverance. (Psalms 32:7).