Heavenly Father is our Father in Heaven

Earthly Father, Heavenly Father

A good earthly father is an example of our Heavenly Father.  I really like the part when it says "...All while I work, I'm far, but close; always thinking of them.....I do it all for them.  I work, that they may grow.  They trust so deeply; how I yearn to do the same.  They see so little of how it all came to be, never questioning, only trusting...."

I'm awake. I remember Him. I gaze upon them before I part. They lie in their bed, unaware of me watching. I leave, they sleep. The small home I help provide is their world. They play, they explore, learning to move, to feel, to see, to know, not once thinking how it all came to be. Crayons, toys, books; it's all for them. The fridge opens, the pantry exposed, they expect food to be there. Not a thought, not a doubt, just hunger. Cereal, milk, yogurt, messy fingers, messy faces, all fed. Tummies are full. Now it's nap time. My wife likes nap time. Once again, they lay in the comfort we provide. All while I work, I'm far, but close; always thinking of them. My phone rings, I only hear breathing. I smile; my wife's phone is now missing. I do it all for them. I work, that they may grow. They trust so deeply; how I yearn to do the same. They see so little of how it all came to be, never questioning, only trusting. I come home; two-second hugs. Now I'm a horse. We eat dinner, brush teeth. Jammy time. Finally, it's bed time. Once again, they lay their heads on the pillows we provide. I will be their protector. I will be their gentle friend. I will be my wife's faithful husband. I am a father, I am also a son. And while I may not understand all that He does for me, I do know that all that I am, and all that I have is because He's a father to me. I now stand, very aware, of how it all came to be.

How Familiar Heavenly Father is to us:

“If any of us could now see the God we are striving to serve – if we could see our Father who dwells in the Heavens, we should learn that we are as well acquainted with him as we are with our earthly father, and he would be as familiar to us in the expression of his countenance and we should be ready to embrace him and fall upon his neck and kiss him, if we had the privilege.  And still we, unless the vision of the Spirit is opened to us, know nothing about God.  You know much about him, if you but realize it.  And there is no other one item that will so astound you, when your eyes are opened in eternity, as to think that you were so stupid in the body.”  (Brigham Young, JD 8:30)