ARTICLES

WHAT WAS IT LIKE?

by Mari Anne Andersen

Someone famous once said, "People who ask confidently get more than

those who are hesitant and uncertain. When you figure out what you want to

ask for, do it with certainty, boldness, and confidence."


I would have to agree with this quote - especially being one who likes to ask

questions. I am a question type "gal". My motto has been, "if you don't ask,

you don't know." Scripture also tells us we have not because we ask not.


1 John 5:14 states it this way: “And this is the confidence - the assurance,

the (privilege of) boldness - which we have in Him: (we are sure) that if we

ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with

His own plan) He listens to and hears us.”


I believe with all my heart the Father enjoys when we ask questions about Him, His Son and His Spirit.
It conveys to the Father that we are really interested in Him - His thoughts, His ways and plans, along with His feelings for our future together. There is a certain comfort that comes in a relationship when you have the liberty to ask, inquire and seek out understanding of that person. My quote is this: "Questions are the doorway into the heart of getting to know someone personally and intimately."

Being a parent with three beautiful children, asking questions really was part of my responsibility and the pledge I had before God. To love and cherish my children wholeheartedly, truthfully and honorably meant at times asking questions - even the tough ones. As a parent I had a position of certainty, boldness and confidence in seeking out their feelings and thoughts as well as their hopes and dreams. Now as I watch from the sidelines our three adult children proceeding into their life's journey and destiny, it is by God's grace and mercy that we have equipped them with skills to seek, inquire and search into all matters of truth. And, of course, I still ask them questions.

I have been pondering on My Heavenly Father being the perfect parent with the perfect Father's Heart. He ushered in His perfectly designed workmanship and creation which masterfully birthed family, having all the ingredients of love, security, acceptance, rest, comfort, provision and healing in His presence. Our Heavenly Father's original plan was to bless us from generation to generation experiencing His identity and destiny.

In thinking about this - the Father being a parent who loves perfectly - questions started to spring up and emotions of empathy and sympathy started to flare in my heart, identifying with my Heavenly Father. He, too, was a parent and His Son was preparing to go on a long journey to give us hope and a plan for our future and for all eternity. However, I had several questions for the Heavenly Father as a parent, but mostly, "What Was it Like?"

What was it like that very last night before Jesus left for earth? What was Your last conversation like? What did You spend Your time talking about? How did You and Jesus say goodbye? Did You have a going away party - a sending off celebration giving Your Son blessings and advice? Did You explain to Jesus what it would be like living here and the difference between heaven and earth?

Even writing down some of these questions, my heart stirs greatly because I know as a parent what I feel when one of my children goes away on a long journey. All the emotions we have and the prayers we pray in wanting their travels to be safe and protected from all danger and evil. We pray and hope that their experiences would be blessed and favored - but the Father knew Jesus' trip would encumber hardship, pain, evil, cruelty and ultimately His death.

Father, did heaven seem very empty for You? Where You lonely without Jesus especially during certain times of celebration in heaven? Did certain songs that the angels sang and worship remind You of Jesus? What was it like, Father, when You started to see Jesus play with the other kids and they started to name call? How many times did Your arms ache to hold Your Son, to be near Him and to love and reassure Him? What about Jesus' birthday - was there still a celebration in Heaven? What about seeing His empty chair?

Again, Father, being a parent (in all human form) I can feel some of Your pain in that there was a loss You endured for 33 years without Your Son being with You. Even though You say a thousand years is like on day, it still was a very long day for You. Not having Your Son to hang out with, to laugh with or to express thoughts and ideas with.

What about when You saw Jesus in the temple at 12 years old, Father? Did you get excited watchingHim preach and teach? And did You call all the angels and saints to watch Jesus? Did you say to them, "That's My boy?"

What was it like when Jesus went to His secret place on the Mount of Olives to seek out Your love and comfort? I'm sure it was a "love-fest" that You both had on the Mount of Olives, being able to download all Your comfort, encouragement, and hope as well as to reassure Your Son of the purpose for the future of all mankind. To inspire and strengthen Your Son with vision and purpose to keep on keeping on, to continue to abide and dwell in Your Presence and to have Jesus spend the night in Your wings of love and protection. It must have felt so good, Father, to have Jesus taking refuge in You and feeling safe and secure, fearing nothing because You were His hiding place.

Father - how did You handle watching all the pain, torture and beatings - oh My Father - the pain as a parent watching and allowing this to happen because of Your great love. What was it like to see Your Son betrayed by the very thing of beauty and healing You created it to be originally - "the kiss?"

What was it like Father when the stone was rolled away and the trembling earth starting to shake and roar - was that You jumping up and down in excitement and anticipation of soon seeing the return of Your Son? Knowing that Jesus was coming home, did You start to prepare for His welcoming home party? Were You right there at the front door of Heaven waiting to greet Him with the power of Your love and healing - Your Kiss?

Father, questions, feelings, emotions and identification flooded my soul as a parent and I felt some of your feelings. And Father, I pray I could more and more feel what You feel, as one who loves, comforts, believes and hopes for the best. Father, I know you grieve over so many who have lost their way, so many who never found the Way, and You grieve over the pain of this fallen world. I know as a perfect Father, You are the perfect burden bearer and that Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light.

John 14:21 - "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love Him, and will disclose Myself to him."

Father, I desire and long to live in You daily, loving and making my home with You in all areas of my life.
I hunger to move deeper into a more intimate and personal fellowship with You, knowing this is the greatest reward of all on this side of eternity as well as the next. Father, give to me more questions so I can know You more, love You more, and understand You more and feel Your heart more. Father, give me more of "What Was it Like" when . . . . .

LISTEN TO WHAT I HEAR THE FATHER SAYING:

"My child, I have you so close to Me and I thank you so much for thinking

or surmising some of my feelings and thoughts for Me and My Son. You

showed Me your beautiful, tender heart and how you think for others. At

times I did feel lonely, but I also knew what My Son had to do. There was

no other way. The only way for you and all mankind was to prove Our love –

to show love and reveal the Son of the Almighty God. My Son willingly and

lovingly gave His life so others might live. He was the purest, most perfect

and powerful sacrifice with the finest blood to redeem all men. I love how

you are thinking of My heart and how you are feeling some of My feelings.

Thank you My child for your passion and compassion."

back to top