FactFaithFeeling

Feeling - 3

Children greet their father from the window, as he turns the corner and comes down the street. He hears the rush of their feet along the passage as he inserts his latch-key in the door.
But one day he begins to question whether they greet him for the love they bear him or for the gifts with which he never forgets to fill his pockets.

One day, therefore, he gives them due notice that there will be no gifts when he returns at night. Their faces fall, but when the hour of return arrives they are at the window as usual, and there is the same trampling of little feet to the door.
Ah," he says, "my children love me for myself," and he is glad.

Our Father sometimes cuts off the supply of joy, and allows us to hunger after Him, that He may know what is in our hearts, and whether we love Him for Himself. If we still cling to Him as Job did, He is glad, and restores comforts to His mourners with both hands.

Father,
I thank You that when I can't seem to find You, and You seem far away, it isn't that You've abandoned me,
but You're testing me to see whether I will seek You out for myself and find You.
Thank You for challenging me in this way,
in Jesus' name,
Amen.