God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also revelations of the Father. (Read verses here. Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor. 15:28; John 3:16; 1 John 4:8; 1 Tim. 1:17; Ex. 34:6, 7; John 14:9.)
Today's story is about our Heavenly Father.
(A Regatta is a boat race involving row boats or sail boats.)
The Story
The day dawned sunny and calm--just what everyone had hoped for. It was Regatta Day in town and everyone would be at the water's edge watching the young men and women row to qualify for a chance to compete in the championship race. Good weather was essential for a good race and today's weather was perfect. With the good weather, and because it was a holiday, thousands of people would be at the Regatta grounds There was lots to do at the Regatta besides watch the boat races. It was like a huge party up and down the shores of the lake with happy people milling about, meeting each other, kids running, babies crying and music playing. Throngs of people wandered in and out of the entertainment and food booths that were set up to amuse and feed the crowds of spectators.
Lois was just as excited as everyone else. She and her family had gotten up early and prepared for the day. Getting dressed in her new outfit made her feel important and grown-up. She wondered who she would meet at the Regatta. Maybe some of her friends from school whom she hadn't seen for more than a month, maybe a long-lost relative would show up and remark on how she had grown. Yes, this was going to be a great day.
Lois and her family made their way up the long stretch of grass to the bandstand where musicians were playing lively marches and familiar tunes to entertain the people and encourage the rowers. This was the "spot" where they would meet up with the aunts and uncles and a few friends to watch the races and relax.
Soon after the family arrived, Lois decided to go exploring. Dad and Mom said she could go but she was not to get lost. She should stay close to the bandstand and keep it in sight. She was 11 years old and almost an adult, so she thought. How could she get lost? With her parents instructions still ringing in her ears she set off all by herself to buy an ice cream or maybe cotton candy.
There were so many food booths with so many choices, that carelessly Lois wandered farther and farther away from the bandstand. Finally, making a purchase of ice cream, Lois started back only to realize she could not see the bandstand, she could not even hear the band playing. She looked around but all she could see was people and more people. A wall of people and no one who looked at all familiar. She wandered about hoping the bandstand would soon come in sight but no bandstand appeared.
Soon she was hot and tired. Her feet hurt and she was thirsty from eating the ice cream. Then she saw the edge of the lake. The water looked so nice and refreshing, that taking off her socks and shoes, she walked in to cool off. The water at the edge was shallow and just as nice as she thought it would be. How nice to walk around in the cool water. Suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her foot as if something had bitten her. Looking down she saw a red ribbon of blood swirling about her foot. She had stepped on a sharp stone or piece of glass. Hopping out of the water, she knew she had to get help fast.
Looking about she saw, in the distance, a large white tent with a big red cross on the side. She knew this was the emergency tent so hopping and hobbling along she made her way to the tent where she was met by a kind nurse who cleaned and bandaged her foot. But she was still lost. The nurse told her to stay in the tent until someone came to claim her.
Now, some little girls or boys would be terrified to be lost in such a big crowd but Lois knew something that kept her from being afraid. She didn't even cry. At first she didn't know she was lost. When she realized she couldn't find the bandstand on her own, it was then she knew her Daddy would look for her. She knew he would look and look until he found her. She knew he would not go home without her. She knew he would stay all night to find her if he had to. Although, she had disobeyed and went away from the bandstand she knew her Daddy would forgive her and take her home and give her hugs and kisses and tell her how happy he was to have found her.
And so it was, while Lois was in the big white tent, she heard a familiar voice asking if anyone had seen a little girl with blond hair, brown eyes and a pink top and shorts. Forgetting about her sore foot, Lois jumped up and ran to the door of the tent and flung herself into her Daddy's arms. What a happy reunion they had. Daddy brought her back to Mom and little sister and everyone was joyful the lost girl had been found.
Boys and girls we have a Heavenly Father who loves us very much, even more than your Daddy loves you. God, our Heavenly Father is so sad when one of us gets lost. Not lost like the little girl in the story, but lost in our naughtiness or lost in sin as the Bible calls it.
The Lord is not being slow in doing what he promised—the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He doesn’t want anyone to be lost. He wants everyone to change their ways and stop sinning. 2 Peter 3:9 (ERV)
Our Heavenly Father, sent Jesus into this world to find and save us from sin. The Bible says, "The Son of Man (that's Jesus) came to look for the lost and save them.” Luke 19:10 (NIRV)
Just like our fathers here on earth, we may ask our Heavenly Father to help us and provide for our good. Jesus was telling his disciples how the Heavenly Father is waiting for us to ask for every good gift He has for us.
“Suppose your son asks for bread. Which of you will give him a stone? Or suppose he asks for a fish. Which of you will give him a snake? Even though you are evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your Father who is in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:9-11(NIRV)
How loving God, our Heavenly Father is to His children.
Our Heavenly Father can never die. He has always been and will always be. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. We cannot understand all about God, our Heavenly Father because it is too hard for us to understand. When we get to heaven we will understand better.
Our Heavenly Father is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by everyone and everything in this world and in heaven.
The Bible says:
“You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.” Revelation 4:11
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for Your love and care. We know You always want what is best for Your children. Thank you for sending Jesus to help us. Amen.
Songs that can be used:
Heavenly Father We Appreciate You
Heavenly Father we appreciate You,
Heavenly Father we appreciate You,
We love You, adore You, we bow down before You,
Heavenly Father we appreciate You.
~Unknown Composer
This is the Lord's Prayer sung to the tune of the old spiritual "Kum Ba Yah".
Lord’s Prayer
To the Tune of Kum Ba Yah
Father, God in Heaven –Lord most high,
Hear Your children’s prayer –Lord most high,
Hallowed be Your name –Lord most high.
O Lord, hear our prayer.
May Your kingdom come –Here on earth,
May Your will be done –Here on earth,
As it is in heaven –So on earth.
O, Lord, hear our prayer.
Give us daily bread –Day by day,
And forgive our sins, –Day by day,
As we, too forgive, –Day by day.
O Lord, hear our prayer.
Lead us in Your way –Make us strong,
When temptations come,–Make us strong,
Save us from all sin, –Keep us strong.
O Lord, hear our prayer.
All things come from You –All are Yours,
Kingdom, glory, power,–All are Yours,
Take our lives and gifts,–All are Yours.
O, Lord, hear our prayer.
~Words by James Seddon
Here is a colouring sheet that can be used. I originally had it photocopied on an 8½ x14-inch paper which gave the children a nice sized poster. I had to reduce the size of the poster and colouring sheet to an 8½ x11-inch sheet so I could scan the image from my printer.
The poster is found at Danielle's Place.
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