Abba Father

So, lily is really into being a pastor's kid these days.  Like really into it, and honestly, I hope she keeps that level of excitement over her plot in life for a very long time.

She attended a birthday party over the weekend, and when someone recognized her from vacation bible school, Lily went into excitement mode.  Excitement mode involves lily talking very fast, not necessarily with big emotion, just fast with words that all seem to run together.  It's kind of like one long, overstated hashtag.  And her excitement wasn't over the fact that she was recognized (or that she was at a pretty awesome birthday party), but her excitement was over the reality that Bible school was held at her church...where her dad is the pastor.  So, her response went something like this:

#Iamthepastor'sCHILDatthatchurchthepastor'sCHILDandIcanshowyouanythinginthatchurchbecause
Iamthepastor'sCHILDofthatchurchandmydadisthepastorsoI'mthepastor'sCHILD

Yep.  Just about like that. The kid adores being a pastor's CHILD - she loves it, embraces it, and even brags about it.  I asked Lily what is so cool about being a pastor's kid, and here are the top three great things about being a PK according to my seven-year old:

1.  You get hideaways in the pastor's office when you're a pastor's CHILD.

Lily believes that the hideout she has created under her dad's desk is a giant perk.  There may be a time in the near future when Lily discovers that hideouts aren't necessarily unique to pastor's kids, but for now, she chalks up her hideout in the pastor's office as a plus to being a "PK," so....so do we.

If you were to check out lily's hideout, here are a few items you'd encouter:  an extra pair of socks (because, well, lily),  tissues (unused and used), cups for water (in case of an emergency), dolls (duh), stuffed animals, and...from time to time...a Bible.

This hideout is important for several reasons, according to my youngest.  First, she needs a place to go during the time of prayer held in dad's office before the worship service.   "Well, mom, I can't sit with the elders.  And why would I go out to the playground??"  Right....because why would a seven year old go out to the playground?  Come on, mom.

The hideout is also significant for certain church "clubs."  What I've noticed is that once lily befriends someone at church, and feels them out over the course of...a few minutes, she then proceeds to let them in on her secret space.  And once you see the secret space, you're in.  Like literally.  They all gather in the hideout.  In fact, on one particular Sunday during worship we noticed that Lily was missing.

I'm mildly embarrassed to admit how long it took me to notice this, but both mom and dad are on stage during worship, so, well, I'm just grateful for a church family who keeps an eye out - and who thinks to look in the hideout when pastor's children are missing.  Sure enough, lily and her friend were conducting their own private Sunday school in the hideout.  "Mom, come on, we had a Bible!"  That club meeting ended rather abruptly.

Yep.

2.  You can ask your dad all your questions about God because he's a pastor and you're a pastor's CHILD.

So, her questions can wear you out.  There are times when the questioning begins and my husband and I just look at each other.   We're both imagining doing this:

Sweet lily.  We don't bolt.  We endure.  And her dad does a much better job than I do at trying to answer each question she has.  Her questions for her pastor dad are big: 

Where is heaven, dad?  But like WHERE?  Will I look like this in heaven, dad?  Can I be a teenager in heaven, Dad?  Do all kids go to heaven, dad?  Did Jesus have a beard?  Why does God let Satan do stuff, dad?  And, of course:  Dad?  Can I have a key to the church, dad?  Just one key, dad.  

3.  When your dad is a pastor, he can do funerals for your fish when they die - like when "Goldy" died a couple of days ago and dad buried him and read from the Bible.  

And there's just not much more to say about that.  

She claims the title of pastor's kid proudly - she loves it, embraces it, and even brags about it.  And wouldn't you if you had a dad to conduct funerals for the goldfish?  

I have the privilege of speaking for a women's retreat this weekend, and the theme for the weekend is Kingdom Heirs.  I can't tell you how much God has worked on my heart while preparing for these talks.  

The beauty of what it means to be a child of God is something that I haven't reveled in enough.  But when I let the depth of that relationship encompass me, I'm overwhelmed with the implications of what it means that I can call God, the creator of the universe, my father.  He is my father; while my earthly one is gone, He is there to comfort me, love me, rejoice over me, and guide me.  I know this because I experience His faithfulness daily, which is one of the greatest benefits of being His child.  But there are other rewards as well.  

In the midst of anxiety that can at times seem paralyzing,  God makes himself known in simple places like a sunrise or sunset.  Their beauty speaks volumes to the reality of a God who cares for His creation, and if He cares for His creation with such detail, just imagine how much more He cares for His children. And the gentle words of encouragement from a friend are reminders of God's tender love in the midst of pain and difficulty.  He is never absent in the journey.  The hands that give faithfully and generously are reminders of God's provision for His children in every single way.   I breath in deeply these never ending pictures of God's grace, all of them just glimpses of the joy and glory that awaits us when we receive our inheritance in full.  

To those who are believers in Jesus: He is our KING; we are heirs of His Kingdom; we are His beloved children.  Claim the title proudly - we have reason to do so.  Love it, embrace it....brag about it.  

You are a CHILD of the King.