Dada

Yesterday I had one of the greatest experiences of my life, heretofore. Salvation will always rank at the very top, and being married to my wife will come directly after that. Next comes being Bethany's dad, and yesterday I had a stirring reminder of why.

So far, Bethany's utterances have been limited to "Mama," "Dada," "Baba," and the like. We could ask her, "Where's Dada?" and she would look at me. We could ask her, "Where's Mama?" and she would look directly at my wife. She would say "Mama" and "Dada" but wouldn't call her parents these names. Until yesterday. She looked at me, pointed with her chubby little finger, and said (I think) WITH UNDERSTANDING, "Dada." Becky and I both nearly lost it. Certainly she doesn't understand all of the implications of someone being her father. However, with as much understanding as an almost 1-year-old can have, she looked at me and called me Dada.

I have to spiritualize these moments because truth in our lives point us to a greater truth and greater reality. That moment was a clarification of Romans 8:15:

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" (ESV)

Is there a more profound and affection stirring moment of worship than when those redeemed from slavery to sin, filled with the Spirit, point their hearts and minds at the heavenly Father, and cry out, WITH UNDERSTANDING, "Dada!" How I long for our services and lives to be filled with moments such as these.