The Father’s House
“Look at me,” she thought to herself. “I’m clothed in dirty rags, my face is covered in mud, and my whole body is dusty and dry and caked with dirt.” With a sigh, and a terrible longing in the pit of her stomach, she looked toward the house - His house. Feeling worthless and ashamed at her condition, all she could do is stand in the dark alleyway and look through the window at the display of love and comraderie found within.
Suddenly, the door swings open! There stands the most gregarious man, filling the entire doorway with His massive frame and infectious presence. He wipes His hands on His apron and looks at the young woman standing in the alley - tattered and torn. With a delightful twinkle in His eyes He asks, “Daughter, why are you in the street?” He beckons her to come in. As she crosses the threshold He sweeps her off her feet in a huge bear hug. He has her sit down in front of a basin of water, where he begins to wash the dirt away. He plays “piggies” with her toes as He washes the grime from her feet, laughing as she tries to pull away. His laugh is so hearty, so contagious, so joyful and rich - so larger than life itself. He beckons His new-found daughter to join the others at the table - her brothers and sisters seated at a table prepared just for them. They too look grimey, but their hands and feet have been washed as hers had just moments before. Bowls of delicious steaming soup sit before each child. With joy in His eyes, the Father hands her a bowl as well.
As she is eating, she notices that there’s a warm, inviting fire in the hearth where the soup is cooking in a large black cauldron. He could feed the whole world from that one pot! Light from the fire dances across the walls of the room. It was not a fancy home, but it was full of love, full of life - full of the Father’s presence. Great peace was in this home as well as freedom. Freedom from every fear, freedom from rejection, freedom from sorrow or pain. In this house those things fell away as each child entered the joy of the Father. All needs were met - cleanliness, food, protection, love, and so much more.
Some of the children would eat their fill and then leave once more. If they stayed away too long, they often forgot their Father and forgot whose child they were. But something invariably would draw them back to the simple home on the crowded street where they would glance longingly through the window at the joy inside. The Father always invited them back home once more, and would remind them of His great love. Others would stay way past dinner, sit at His feet, and wait for the stories to begin. Adventures, heartache, victory, and a host of other dramatic elements peppered His unending stories. He knew all the stories since the beginning of time when the first breath from the first man was ever released, and all the stories that came before. Heaven itself could not contain the stories found in the Father’s heart! There was not a tear that was wasted, not a song unnoticed, not a cry unaddressed in the stories He told.
Full of His stories, the children would leave the Father’s side and venture out into the surrounding neighborhoods, bringing more children to the Father’s door. Some willingly received His embrace, while others would venture in but hide from the Father’s gaze - afraid of who-knows-what, wrapped in fear and doubt and unbelief. But as they saw the Father’s lavish love toward His children, they too crept closer, hungry for just one glance, one beaming smile from the heart of Love Himself.
And then there were the others. They never left their Father’s house. They ate at His table and were as fat as they could be. Even in the presence of such great love, they chose to hoard what the Father gave them, they vied for the best positions at the table, and bickered amongst themselves. The Father encouraged them to go and bring others to His house, and to His table, but they refused to go. They didn’t want to share His goodness and love with others, but wanted it all for themselves. Their greed corrupted their hearts. And yet they remained in the Father’s house because of His great love, never realizing they were in danger of losing their reward. He’s so patient with them, not wanting any of them to perish.
Sometimes a spirit of repentance would fall upon one of them, and that beloved child would throw himself in a heap at the Father’s feet. This would greatly anger the others and pour conviction into their hearts. In their anger and frustration they would begin kicking at the one at the Father’s feet until he was bruised and bleeding. The Father would hold them back with one arm, while gently picking up and holding His precious child with his other arm - rejoicing over the salvation of His sorrowful child. He tenderly knit this precious one to His side so health and healing, love, joy, and peace would flow freely into the one so bruised and broken.
Of course the child could remove himself at any time. But if he allowed the Father to remove him at the proper time, then he would be strong enough to join the Father in His work, and go out and bring others to the Father’s house. He would completely identify with the Father and not forget the love poured out for him. If he remained long enough, his heart would begin to beat in perfect time and rhythm with the Father’s, and his veins flow with the same compassion that flows through His. And peace, and truth and love will cover his footsteps.
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One morning when I was sitting before the Lord He began to unfold this story in my heart. I was a teen once more, peering through the window of my Father’s home at the joy on display. I was the one in the alley wanting more, but feeling unworthy to partake. We’ve all had those times in our lives when our failures hang over our heads like the Acme weight perpetually found in the Roadrunner cartoons. Discouraged and beaten we somehow make it to the door, but are afraid to go in. “Will He condemn me too?” “Will He heap more condemnation onto my battered soul?” Oh Beloved, that is the biggest lie the enemy feeds us, because he knows if we walk through the door of the Father’s house there is abundant provision for every need. He receives all who come. Not a one is turned away who humbly comes into His presence.
The most surprising thing I found about this story was that the Father is so playful! He was so fun to be around - so joyful and full of life. He was warm and inviting. I think we carry this picture of God in our hearts that is unapproachable. It is an untrue picture. If you have one of those tucked inside your heart destroy it quickly. Draw a new picture. Please believe me when I tell you that He is utterly approachable. He’s in a good mood, and He loves you! Heaven could not contain the love He has for you. Not only is He in a good mood, He also prefers your company. He lives to provide for His children. But those who decided to stay even after receiving their needs met received the greatest blessings. Then they in turn blessed others, and led them back to the Father. Freely they received His love, and freely they gave it away.
This time I was the girl in the alley desperately wanting more, but at other times I’m the one cowering in the corner, or sitting at His feet, and yes, I’ve even been the one fat and contented but lacking in love and compassion. So where are you in the story? Does you heart long to go deeper? Are you hiding fearfully in the corner of the room? Are you hungry? Are you desperate for time at His feet? Are you busy bringing others to the Father? Are you struggling with self-righteousness? He’s aware of it all. And whatever state we find ourselves in, He is faithful. And He knows what it will take to get you from the alley to the table where He wishes for you to be. Oh Beloved, seek His face. Truly those who seek Him find Him, and often what He reveals turns our world upside-down and challenges every notion we’ve ever had of who He really is. I want to know Him as I am known. He is utterly amazing, endearing and delightful!
Sounds like dinner is ready and the stories are about to start…wanna come?!
