daddy's right here

'our friend is here.  she came to see all of us.  but we're not leaving.  mommy and daddy are staying.  daddy is going to be with you and you are going to stay with daddy. you're not going anywhere.  daddy is right here.'

this is the prep we give to our kids whenever we have visitors come by.  i get to about eye level, get real close, grab a hand and begin to speak.  he'll make eye contact, listen intently, and sometimes he'll become fixated on a task so as to focus his energy, fear, whatever it may be...sometimes freedom comes.  he is free to live, free to laugh and play and show off.  its amazing the difference between then and when the reassurance isn't there.

i must say i am blown away at the difference in me when i don't allow my Father's reassurance to be present in my heart and life.  things get busy, i don't stay close...maybe i try to go with those 'friends'...and because i've done my own thing, my own way and tried to find my own path on this adventure, i forget, i forget that my Father is present; always, by my side, doing all that is possible to assure me that i can be free, free to live, to laugh and love and play and maybe even show off a bit.  what kills me is when i 'try to get back' to the Almighty's side, i feel like i somehow have to earn my adoption rights; as if i had earned them in the first place, or as if it has anything to do with me.  i'm so thankful for a God that is present....

...boys, you never, ever have to earn your adoption rights, nothing you can do will ever, EEEEVER take my heart away from you, i am here, i always will be, no matter where you go, what you do, how high you climb, i will be here with you.