Abba-Daddy

ABBA, Father!

When You wove my son in my womb, You created a valve at the base of his bladder that would not allow urine to flow out, but kept it in.  This caused the urine to reflux back into his kidneys and they were almost completely destroyed by the time he was a month old.  That may seem like a horrible thing, and at the time it was bitter sweet.  I had given him up for adoption as I was unmarried, and that’s another story altogether of Your grace and mercy, but because of this birth defect You allowed me to keep him which has been a huge blessing!

            Because of all that, years later we were told of a YMCA camp for families in the Catskill Mountains of New York that had a dialysis unit on campus.  We had already gone through a failed kidney transplant by the time he reached age 12, so the thought that he would be able to spend a week or two at a camp like “normal” children was amazing, and I thank You for that.

            I was having a really hard time as a relatively new believer comprehending what the Love of our Heavenly Father was like.  You knew that and worked this entire situation out not only for my son's good, but also for mine, and I praise and thank You for that too!

            When we arrived at the camp, we all had to check into a huge lodge.  In front of us in line was a man holding his little girl of about 12-18 months of age.  She was squirming to get down, so he finally gently placed her little feet on the floor.  Not unlike us, she started to wander out into the large expanse of the Lodge floor enthralled with all of the sights and sounds around her.

            All of a sudden she realized that she was all alone and try as she might, she could not see her father, so she started screaming with fear and tears, “Abba! Abba!”  Her dad, who I found out later was a Jewish man and would be my son's doctor for the time he was there, stepped out of the crowd and called gently to her, “Here I am Sweetheart.” and she came running to him.  As he swept her up into his massive arms, he said, “I have been here all of the time watching you.  If you had been in danger or were going to get hurt, I would have been there in a moment.  I love you.  Now, stay here with Daddy.”

            You and I had a precious moment there in NY!  I realized then that was the relationship You wanted to have with me!  You are my Abba!  Thank You, Lord!