The Best Gospel Is the Life You Live: A Story About Rescue, Grace, and Our Heavenly Father
Sharing the Gospel Through Everyday Life
When it comes to sharing the word of Christ, sometimes your own life is the best gospel. Jesus used stories and parables that made sense to the people around Him, stories of fishermen, farmers, and families, because those were the professions and situations they could relate to.
In the same way, our everyday experiences can reflect God’s love and grace more powerfully than we realize.
A Weekend Back Home
This weekend, I traveled back to my hometown to visit my parents. I was reminded of the time my sister and I helped them sort through 60+ years of memories and accumulated treasures. We called it the “Project Purge,” and while it was no small task, it was a sweet way to spend time with them.
Since then, I’ve been going back home every six weeks to spend time with them. This visit happened to fall on my father’s birthday, which makes the weekend feel even more special.
As usual, we all ended up swapping “Dad” stories, some funny, some touching, and one, in particular, stood out. I thought you might enjoy it too.
A Dad Who Came to the Rescue
Back when my sister was in art school in Atlanta, she’d go out behind the studio to paint props for photoshoots. One day, she got a little too creative and painted a peace sign on the asphalt in the parking lot. Needless to say, the school administration was not thrilled.
They called her in, gave her a stern talking-to, and told her she had to remove it immediately. The problem was, she had no idea how to get paint off a parking lot.
So, she did what any daughter would do: she called Dad.
Now, you might expect him to show up with a scrub brush and some heavy-duty cleaner. But that’s not how our dad rolls. Nope. He came with a full crew of men, put out safety cones, and sealed the entire parking lot with blacktop.
What was a small ask turned into a big act of love. He didn’t just help. He rescued her in a way that only a father would.
Who Do We Call When We Need Help?
As children, we turn to our parents when things go wrong. But what about when we’re adults, when life gets messy, overwhelming, or completely out of our control?
Who do we call then?
The answer is simple:
We call our Heavenly Father.
Matthew 7:9-11 (NIV)
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 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!
Our Father in heaven hears our prayers. He doesn’t just give us enough. He gives us immeasurably more.
Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
A Father Who Gives All of Himself
I am beyond grateful to have been raised by a wonderful earthly father, someone who went above and beyond for us more times than I can count. But as good as he is, he’s still human.
Our Heavenly Father?
He’s infinite. He gives us all of Himself, every time we call on Him.
“An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others.” – A. W. Tozer.
Now that is the kind of Father who comes to the rescue in ways we could never imagine.
To God Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
Let’s End With a Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of both earthly and Heavenly love. You know our needs before we even ask, and You delight in showing up for us in ways that exceed our expectations. Thank You for being a God who rescues, a God who gives more than we deserve, and a God who never grows weary of hearing from us. Help us to live our lives as a reflection of Your goodness, so that through our words and actions, others may come to know You.
Amen.
I love your message this Sunday, I appreciate them all but this one hit close to my heart. I had a good laugh about your father helping your sister. I had a father who was a wonderful God fearing man. My husband was also a wonderful God fearing man and helped all of us but my daughter especially. He died 13 years ago and to this day she still wishes she could talk to him when she has a problem. She told me she missed him just hugging her and saying it’s going to be alright. She said because it was always alright. Probably from his prayers to our Heavenly Father but she felt safe snd protected by her Dad. I feel safe and protected by my Heavenly Father all the time. God Bless you!!!!
He sounds like he was a wonderful man, husband, and father. You and your daughter were blessed with a good one!
I really like your fashion & beauty tips throughout the week, but your Sunday messages are always a special treat on the week-ends!
Tania, what a wonderful post. My Dad was a great father and was always there when I needed him. I miss him. My heavenly Father is always here for me too. Hope you are having a wonderful time with your family.
Those were inspiring words. Far more so than the message delivered by my pastor this morning!
What a sweet story. A good and Godly daddy is such a heavenly treasure to be sure! Thanks for the great reminder of how our Heavenly Father cares for us!
What a great rescue!
So often we forget to ask for help from both our father and our heavenly Father.
Love it Tania-sure miss my dad he was the best.
I love this so much. Your dad sounds so much like mine. And yes our Heavenly Father is always there to intercede and help. We have to but ask : )
My husband and father to two adult children passed away last July at 69. That’s the kind of father he was always there for his children and grandchildren.We miss him more than words can describe. There’s a big hole that will never heal.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Love this! My Dad had a full life and lived to 96. He’s been gone 4 years now and I still miss him every day! At least I know I can always call on my Heavenly Father for love and support!