Florida Catholic | Just Call His Name, God Will Be There

Just call his name, God will be there

RICK HERMANN | SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA CATHOLIC

Published: 04.04.08

A friend told me a true story about a 2–year–old girl who wakes up every morning and softly whispers, “Daddy, here.”

Sure enough, her father appears at her bedside to deliver hugs and kisses. She is too young to understand the electronic intercom on the side of her crib; it allows her father to hear every sound she makes. She only knows that when she calls, day or night, he appears.

This little girl knows she is loved. Blessed with a father who responds to her, she knows beyond the shadow of a doubt that she is a cherished and adored member of the family.

Because she has experienced the love of her earthly father, she will find it easier to trust in the ultimate goodness and loving presence of her heavenly Father. Trust in one person engenders trust in another. This trust in her Lord will comfort, guide and bless her, as long as she abides in him.

When she calls, “Daddy, here,” she is saying a very short version of the prayer Jesus gave us: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come … .”

In this prayer, Jesus invites us to call God by his most intimate name, “Abba,” which can be translated as “Daddy.”

The Creator of the universe wants us to call him “Daddy.”

What does this reveal about his personality and the kind of relationship he seeks with us?

He wants us to trust him, stay close to him and love him as he loves us. He is not a far-distant tyrant or dictator. He is near and dear, ready to appear and banish all fear.

This innocent little girl calls her earthly father with the same heartfelt name she will soon call God, reminding us that “God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Gal 4:6).

Later in life, if she decides to stray from God’s love, as we all tend to do by seeking our own will apart from his, she may suffer hurt and desolation.

But she will find it easier than most to recall his name. She may remember that Jesus cried out to God when he was on the cross.

Then she will call upon his holy name to forgive her trespasses and to help her forgive those who trespass against her.

To her relief, God will appear in never-ending ways, fulfilling his promise that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom 10:13).

Happily reunited with her Lord once more, she will rest her soul by his side, knowing that he will lead her not into temptation, but will deliver her from evil.

As she grows into womanhood, she may ask God to be her knight with steed, her guide with daily feed.

Guardian of her virtue and protector of her dignity, the Lord will be her haven of rest and promoter of her best.

All the days of her life she will marvel at his power as redeemer, provider, best friend and uniter.

Such is the power of his divine love that once it is known, it becomes quite unforgettable, always accessible and finally irresistible.

Every day he beckons us, invites us and enchants us into his familiar embrace.

Once you know the love of God, you know power in weakness, forgiveness in sin and transformation in pain.

One of the great adventures in life is to discover this authentic trust in God.

So the next time you find yourself anxious, lonesome or full of fear, just close your eyes for a moment and say, “Daddy, here. ”

Then wait in joyful hope for your heavenly Father to appear.

Hermann is a Catholic writer, author and speaker. He welcomes feedback at RH222@sbcglobal.net.

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