I have become skeptical of comments like these, “Daddy, you are the best daddy in the whole world!” While I loved having both little girls spout these niceties at me last night, I know there is a good chance that at some point today I will hear something like, “You are the worst daddy in the whole world!” Here’s the best part: I am sure that both of these statements are untrue. Yet what is interesting to me is the fact that either statement needs to be said. Luke 6:45 tells us that words come from an overflow of the heart. There is so much emotion wrapped into these moments with my girls that they blurt out what they feel. Isn’t that kinda how it goes? “I love Taco Bell!” “I love ice cream!” “I hate lines!” “I hate this dog!” Emotions lead us to places in the heat of the moment.

I think we do the same thing with God. “You’re the best!” “Where are you?” It is not that this is wrong, but just us, very human and broken a lot of times. Think of a time that your emotions changed with God in a hurry. Perhaps it was the moment you realized that He isn’t going to answer all your prayers with “yes” or the time that you woke up and realized you didn’t really love the person you are committed to and you had a choice to make about your view of God.

Truth is, God is God and I am not. God is the epitome of the “best daddy in the whole world.” He sent His son that we might have freedom through belief. Jesus already has conquered this planet, sin, death and the like. Jesus has already done all those things. My identity is now wrapped in Him, the author and perfector of my faith. He is who I count on. So it doesn’t really matter what my kids say or think – I know the truth either way. It doesn’t really matter what people say – or even how I feel – because His opinion and words are all that matter. I am going to choose to take the long view – Jesus already won and this will be made fully known one day. Until then, my emotions and others’ words are nice, but need to be in their proper perspective.