A revelation happened for me when asked – “How would you define God in one word?” This was a powerful question since several people close to me have recently questioned their faith. They have considered God as someone out in the universe and not someone close. Someone who will walk away as soon as we royally mess up.

My response to them – Is how do you define your relationship with your own children? Would you walk away? There are times when my daughter can frustrate me or she can make crazy decisions, but never in my wildest dreams would I ever walk away. There is not anything she could do to make me leave her side.

If you think of God in the same light, do you truly think he will walk away? You may have tough conversations with him and pay the consequences, but never in God’s wildest dreams would he walk away. One of my favorite stories in the bible is about the prodigal son because he becomes greedy and spends all of his money, but when he comes home ashamed and open to being an out-cast the opposite happens. His father runs to him with open arms, hugs him, and throws a party.

This is the same picture I imagine about God in a relationship with each of us. You may be embarrassed to say God I am not the person either of us thought I’d be, but God already knows who you are. He already knows your heart and mind before you talk, so, to hide is really hiding from God’s grace.

What I’ve learned is people with a history of strong faith have the most difficult time with this concept especially when they start to have questions about their faith. They never thought they’d question their Faith or their relationship would change. This is what makes each of us human. The answer is to not walk away but to allow themselves to fall a little before they can be uplifted again.

So in one word how would I describe God. It would be Dad. Dad with all of the ups, downs, and life’s hurdles, but Dad because I know no matter what God wouldn’t ever walk away.