A Father's Wrath

She cowered in fear under the stairs as she heard her father's large feet carry him up and downstairs looking for her. He was angry. REALLY ANGRY... and she knew that it was directed at her. He knew exactly where she was hiding, but instead of revealing her, he merely made his wrath known as she remained curled in a ball under the stairs thinking about her actions. A tear rolled down her face and onto the floor... she had let him down... she had broken his rules... she had broken his trust. She had known wrong from right and she knowingly chose the wrong. Walking in disobedience was dark, lonely, and most of all unsafe. She wished now that she had thought about the consequences of her actions, and about the pain that she would cause herself and others. The darkness consumed her as she sat alone on the cold concrete floor. "I'm sorry Dad" she whispered, and then she lowered her head into her lap and began to cry.

Just then, the small door opened and light poured into the small closet type room. Blinded by the light, all she could see were the arms of her father... reaching out to hold her... to love her... to protect her.

The same passion that left her father angry, was the intense love and compassion that he had for his precious child. She was lifted up and out of the darkness and into his lap. As the two sat, she nuzzled her head into his strong shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her, rocking her peacefully. "You are forgiven, child" he whispered back... "Love forgives."

Romans 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.