The Compliment of an Introduction

Many years ago, my husband and I were attending General Conference with a "mere" 20,000 other Pentecostals.  The conference was awe inspiring in message, song and fellowship.  However, it was unlike the unerasable memories of conferences past when I roamed the halls looking for friends from far and near, and hoped that my parents did not know I was not in the auditorium.  This particular year, I was in the hallway trying to convince an exhausted 3 year old, and a fussy infant that they should be quiet during their marathon of church services.  I was losing the battle.  During the midst of hiking up my skirt for the umpteenth time after having toddler Avery pull it down again, and trying to clean the remnants of milk that came back up from infant Riley off my dress, I noticed a particular young man.  He was surrounded by a pack of Pentecostal Youth.  He was tall, handsome, and had beautiful red hair.  The air around him seemed to pop with personality and fun.  The young people hung onto every word, and laughed along with his expressive stories.  His demeanor was self confident, but yet kind.  On the outside looking in, I knew he was the life of the party, a much sought after friend. 

Suddenly, the young man quieted the crowd around him, and pushed ahead down the corridor.  He wrapped his arm around a man and led him back to his crowd of admirers.  "Hey, everybody, I want to introduce you to somebody.  This is my dad!"

His statement was spoken with such excitement and pride that he could have been introducing the president of the United States.  The youth welcomed the father with as much enthusiasm as they had the son.  This particular incident went straight to my overly tired motherly heart.  I wondered what this father had done to earn such love and admiration from his vibrant son.  What a high compliment to give a parent.  How wonderful he must have felt as he walked away from that crowd.

I often think that I am blessing my heavenly father with my gifts of praise, tithes and offerings, good deeds and works.  Are my times of fasting, prayer and Bible reading really touching him? Though all of these works are well and good, perhaps he is longing for me to introduce him to the crowd around me-the busy mom in the grocery store, the college students at the library, the parents of the children that I teach, my friends on Facebook.  So, "Hey, everybody, I want to introduce you to somebody. This is my dad...my heavenly father."  I know he will love you like no other.  No matter how many times you makes mistakes, he will welcome you home with open arms.  He will provide for you, shelter you, and be your closest friend.  His grace is astounding, and he will do anything to call you His own.  He has already laid down his life just for you.  So, meet my father.  Your life will never be the same!