"The last time I saw my father, I was 2 ... He called me once 20 years ago and now I am 50. I feel so incomplete because I never spent any time with him, or even got to know him. All I want is a letter from him and a picture of him if God is willing ..." a friend shared.

Many fathers have not lived up to their roles and expectations. So, why has God chosen to portray Himself as our Father? When Paul speaks of the Holy Spirit residing in us, the father and child relationship was not merely an illustration.

See how very much our heavenly Father loves us

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans 8:15-17 NIV)

Being a child of God and co-heir with Jesus Christ is a relationship very few of us fully comprehend. It is the promise we will share with Christ in his Father as well has his glory!

See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don't know God, so they don't understand that we are his children. Yes, dear friends, we are already God's children, and we can't even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. (1 John 3:1-2)

Is God the Father I never had? Am I comfortable calling out to Him as my Abba Father?

"So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. ... his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began." (Luke 15:20-24 NLT)