(In 2017, I wrote this series for the 40 days prior to Easter to prepare our hearts and minds for the significance of Jesus’ resurrection.  I’m reposting the series now for the 40 days after Easter to encourage us to follow through, living in the risen Savior and King.)

God is a “helicopter Father” . . . in a good sense.

I know.  It depends on how we define helicopter parent.  As I’ve seen the phrase used, it’s always negative.  An insecure, over-protective, controlling mom or dad that sucks the life right out of their child.  The poor kid can’t go anywhere, do anything, or spend time with anyone who has a different agenda than their parent’s.

You’ve probably read about them. You’ve probably met some. There might’ve even been one in your family.  Sometimes they parent out of fear. “The world is full of ticking time bombs, and I’m the only thing between my baby and the inevitable explosions.”  That doesn’t leave much room for faith in the Lord.  Sometimes they parent out of pride. “You will be all that I’ve planned for you to be, because I and only I know what is good for you.”  Not much room for faith in the Lord there either.

Neither of those parenting styles is like God.

Psalm 121 starts with “I lift up my eyes to the mountains- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip- He who watches over you will not slumber.  Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:1-4)

If you are resting in Jesus Christ, the Father “hovers” over you because He has a plan for you:  to know, love, trust, and follow Him in joyful worship.  And He will not let anything touch you that does not take you down that path of resting in Him.

I remember having some pretty restless days after my surgery for two large aneurysms.

On one of those days, I could not rest enough to get more than two hours of sleep all night long and into the next day.  I was physically shaking so badly that I couldn’t write out my daily devotional thought, so I had to skip a day.

I couldn’t sleep, but our Father won’t sleep.  And because of that promise, His children can go anywhere, do anything, and spend time with anyone to which their Father calls them – with all confidence that He will be with them to accomplish all of His plans for them.  Rest in that promise from your great Father in Heaven.

Oh, and He doesn’t skip a day either.  Not even one.

If you’d like to know more about who publishes the articles, videos, and other materials on tools4trenches, you can click on the picture of me and my wife.