Just like your Father

Most of you know I was in a car accident on Friday as Amy and I went to lunch. I am still waiting to see if my car is totaled or not, but my guess is it very well could be.

It's been interesting. Although this whole thing has been NOT fun at all, it really was one of the most significant learning times I've had in a long, long time. Friday morning I was in a really good mood--looking forward to Elevate. Even as the wreck happened I was surprisingly calm (for me :) anyway), and the lady I was in the accident was super as was the police.

The "best" part, however, was a real picture of God's grace that my Dad showed me. I am a daddy's girl, I admit, but even then, I have an extraordinary father. He has always been my calm rock, steady, loyal, and sacrificial in his love for me.

On Friday we talked about the wreck again and the estimate to get it fixed was around $4300+. He bought me this car for a graduation gift, has paid for it (and the insurance) and is about $4500 from paying it off. If it is totaled, we MAY have enough to pay off the note of the useless car. Then not only would all that money he put in the car be useless, I would still need a car on top of that.

Was he angry? No. Did he call me stupid or irresponsible? No. Did he guilt me once for all of this? No. The last words he said was, "Baby, don't worry about it. Get a good nights' rest and I'll take care of it." Wow.

I got off the phone and just cried. I still tear up when I think of it. What a picture of Jesus. Just like Jesus, my dad took MY mistakes and paid the price for them. He took the load on himself and at his own personal cost and comfort to help me. His only concern was my safety. That night my dad was Jesus in the flesh to me. I can't say how that filtered everything I heard on Saturday.

I kept thinking about how my dad reacted and thought, how much MORE God must love us! How much GREATER was Christ's sacrifice for us! I am overwhelmed by grace. My earthly dad's grace, and my heavenly Father's grace. Undeserved merit. It is humbling to accept. Yet that is all I can do. Accept it, (cry), be thankful, and tell everyone I know about it.

God brought to mind a verse this weekend I'd memorized about 6 years ago. It is Matthew 7:11 " If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

If my dad, though he is a sinner, knows how to give good gifts to me, how much MORE will my heavenly father give good gifts to those who ask him! (God, this is me asking that you bless my father for his love and faithfulness to me by taking care of his needs as he takes care of mine. And I also pray that You will continue to show me and overwhelm me with how much you love me!)

This has always been one of my favorite MercyMe songs. My own dad make this song come even more alive to me this weekend.

Just Like Your Father Lyrics

Believe me when I say
You look familiar in a certain way
Believe me when I say
I think I met you some other day
There's something about you that I can see
An it shines right through you an approaches me

Oh but now I know
Oh yes I know
You're just like your father
You got your daddy's ways
You walk so close to him picked up his traits
You're just like your father
Got your daddy's ways
You're just like the man I met when I was saved
You look like your father

You got your daddy's eyes
You got your daddy's hands
You got your daddy's smile
You got your daddy's plans
Before you speak, people know who you belong to
It's how much it shows
I can see the love of God from the start
First thing I noticed he's got your heart

You have got something, a satisfying peace
He dwells within you, so many long to see