Big Guy in the Sky

I read the post my friend and coworker put on facebook this weekend:

Bridger:  "I really wish I could go and see God so he can tell me who my father is."  (Mind you his father is in the car with them.)

His older brother responds, "Dude...Dad is your father."

Bridger:  "oh, Hey father!"

Yes, I laughed out loud.  How is it that he thought his father and dad were two different people?  If you think about it, it's not that hard to get confused.  Not many call their dad "father" anymore.  Dad is the word I still use to this day.  It describes that person who tucks you in at night, teaches you to ride your bike, laughs with you and sometimes even puts you in time out.  Father, well, like Bridger, I'm not quite sure who that is either.  It just seems so...formal.

As a child I had a rather formal picture of God.  He was the big guy in the sky watching.  I went through my days, even far into adult years, thinking he had this list he was checking.

Told a lie...check,
helped a friend...check,
said my prayers...double check!

At the end of the day I would mentally take a look.  When the bad checks tipped the scales, then God was surely not happy with me. 

When I got older I came across this scripture.

When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God.--Romans 8: 15

I was surprised to find out that Abba is an Aramaic word most closely related to the word daddy.  It is the word that children would use to address their father.  It took me a while to realize that God was so much more than a list keeper.  Like Bridger I didn't get the idea that one God could be both father and dad. These days I have come to recognize that God is more like a dad in every way.  He desires a relationship not a check list.  And at the end of the day when you think you've blown it, he's not the one saying "I told you so".  He's the one gently encouraging, wiping the tears, pouring out grace that gives us another chance.

Honestly, I'm not sure where that guy in the sky perspective came from.  It is not something my church or parents taught me.  It just sort of stuck.  The thought spurs me to consider the perspective my own kids have of God.  What do they think He's like?  What characteristics does He have?  Maybe I'll even ask them what they think God's opinion of them is and why?  Perhaps you might do the same.  I may not have all the answers but I know one thing...God loves us and he wants us to love him.  That's just how dads are.