When God Says, “I am your Father” (What it means when the Creator of the universe calls you His kid)

Since I was little, I’ve heard the term, “our Father God,” more times than I can count. It’s in every VBS song, every Sunday School craft, every sermon I half-listened to as a kid, sitting next to my mom, doodling in the margins of my bulletin. I mean, it’s even in the Lord’s Prayer. But for a lot of people, especially those who didn’t grow up in church or with any father figure at all, or who did but still felt unseen or hurt by it, this phrase feels more confusing than comforting. More repellent than safe. And that makes perfect sense. But it’s worth looking into what it means that God is our “Father.” 

Honestly, this is a big topic. It’s a lot more in-depth than a simple and short blog can fully share with you. But I’m going to do my best here because it is one of the most important concepts that God reveals to us in His Word. I want you to hear this in as simple a way that I know how to explain it.

Some of you reading this never had a dad around. Or if he was around, maybe he wasn’t emotionally available. Maybe you were afraid of him. Maybe he left. Or maybe he did the best he could but still left a hollow place where love was supposed to anchor. So when someone tells you that God is your Father, it doesn’t land with tenderness—it lands with questions. Suspicion, even.

But here’s the thing: your earthly experience may explain your hesitation, but it doesn’t define your future. God isn’t a flawed version of your dad. He’s the original blueprint for what a father is supposed to be.

THE FATHER WHO RUNS TOWARD YOU

In Luke 15, Jesus tells a story that’s become a bit too familiar in some circles, but I’m asking you to hear it again like it’s your first time. A young man from a wealthy family demands his inheritance early. He basically tells his dad, “I’d rather have your stuff than a relationship with you,” and goes off to wreck his life in every way imaginable.

Eventually, he runs out of money and pride. He’s sitting in the middle of a pig pen, where he has taken a job that pays so badly that he envies the food that he is giving the pigs. He decides to go home, not expecting forgiveness, just hoping to get a bunk in the servant’s quarters. He knows he’s insulted his father in every way possible. But if he can just get a job there, it will be 1000% better than where he is now. 

He heads home with his head down. Maybe no one will see him, and he can just sneak in and not be an embarrassment to anyone. But his father sees him from a long way off. He doesn’t wait at the door with crossed arms and an “I told you so.” He doesn’t spit in his face for the embarrassment that he caused him. He runs. Understand, this is not what dignified men did in that culture. But he runs. You see what he did there? It’s the father who lowered himself to run out and make a big deal about his son heading home. No shame. Only joy and celebration. And when he reaches his son, he wraps him in an embrace before the boy can even get his apology out (Luke 15:20–24). Then, he restores his son’s honorable place at his table. Wow.

This is what Jesus chose to reveal about God. Not a harsh judge. Not a distant deity waiting for you to mess up. Not someone who holds grudges. You get that? God doesn’t hold a grudge against you for the things you’ve done in your past. He is your Father who runs to you when He sees you walking toward Him from a long way off. No shame. Only joy and celebration. Then restoration. 

WHAT “ABBA FATHER” REALLY MEANS (AND NO, NOT THE SWEDISH BAND)

Some people hear the word Abba and think of 1970s disco and Meryl Streep dancing across a Greek island. That’s not where we’re going with this. Really great band though. 

Abba is an Aramaic word that means something close to “Daddy,” but not in a childish way. It’s intimate. Reverent, but close. In the ancient Jewish world, children used Abba when speaking to their fathers, but so did grown sons. It wasn’t baby talk. It was family language. It carried both affection and respect. 

When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, sweating blood from his temples knowing He was about to face the cross, He cried out, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you…” (Mark 14:36). That’s not casual. That’s not distant. That’s a Son reaching for His Father in His darkest hour. “Daddy, I know that you can do anything…” It’s beautiful. But it doesn’t stop with Jesus.  

In Romans 8:15, Paul says that we have been given the same Spirit of adoption that allows us to cry, “Abba, Father.” Paul was using flowery language here to make us feel good about following Jesus. This is a theological mic drop. The same relationship Jesus had with the Father, you and I have been brought into that. Not because we’ve earned it. I think we can agree that neither of us has. Not because we’re religious enough. I think we can also agree that there is so much “religion” around to know that we can never be “enough.” That’s never going to happen. But because Christ has made us His. And, because of that alone, we are sons and daughters of God. 

To call God Abba is to drop the defenses. It’s to walk into His presence without needing to prove anything. It’s walking before God and letting Him know that you are humbly and forever part of His family. It’s the freedom of knowing you’re wanted, seen, and safe in the presence of your Abba Father. 

HOW TO TRUST GOD AS FATHER

So how do you actually begin to believe that God, as your Heavenly Father, isn’t going to abandon you, manipulate you, or disappoint you like others have? It’s not an instant download. It’s a process. 

1. Reframe the word “Father” by looking at Jesus. Jesus said, “Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). If you want to know what God the Father is like, look at how Jesus treated people: compassionate, truthful, and deeply present. He didn’t just tell stories about the Father; He lived like Him. Look to Jesus to know the character of God.
2. Be honest in prayer, even if it’s awkward. You don’t need polished phrases or perfect theology to pray. Romans 8:15 reminds us that we don’t approach God as fearful slaves, but as beloved children who cry out “Abba,” remember this means something between “Dad” and “Papa.” So don’t overthink it. Just start where you are. 
3. Replace lies with truth. Every time you catch yourself thinking, “God’s disappointed in me” or “I have to earn His love,” go back to Scripture. Psalm 103:13 says, “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.” Then remember the story of the prodigal son and his father. That’s your reality now. Let truth untangle the old scripts.
4. Watch how He is faithful. One of the most healing parts of learning to trust God as Father is watching Him stick around. Seeing how faithful He truly is. Through failure, doubt, silence, and confusion, He doesn’t leave. Hebrews 13:5 says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” And He meant it.

HE’S HERE FOR YOU

If the word “Father” still makes you flinch a little, that’s okay. It may take a minute. You may have some baggage to lay at His feet. God isn’t asking you to conjure up warm fuzzy feelings or pretend you understand what a good dad is. He’s just asking you to come closer to Him. Try it out a little. “Taste and see that the LORD is good! (Psalm 34:8). 

Just know that God is totally okay with that. He’s not pacing in disappointment. He’s not holding your past against you. He’s the Father who runs toward the messy kid, sets the table before the dust even settles, and says, “You’re mine. You always were.”

And if that kind of love feels too big, too wild, too good to be true? You’re finally starting to get it. Bravo!

☕ May you have a little faith, a little courage, and a whole lot of stubborn joy. – Tonya

What has your experience been like with seeing God as Father? I’d love to hear your story.

© 2025 All posts written (with my Bible in one hand and a cup of coffee I forgot to drink in the other) by Tonya E. Lee.