One night after a worship service a friend of mine and I stepped outside and were suddenly awed by the beauty around us. It was one of those crisp, clear winter nights when the brilliance of the moon and stars nearly takes your breath away. I said to my friend, “Tommy, will you look at that!” Then he looked up with one of those Holy Ghost whole-face smiles and with a voice full of tenderness said, “My Daddy made that!”

“My Daddy….” I’ll never forget the way he said that.

Some people might think he shouldn’t have been talking in such familiar terms about God, but they’d be wrong. It’s scriptural to talk that way about Him. The Aramaic word for father—Abba—is used several times in the New Testament. The most accurate translation for that word in English is “Daddy.” It’s a word that signifies closeness. It speaks of a relationship that’s been developed through time spent together.

“Father” is one thing. “Daddy” is another.

Growing up, my father was sometimes my “Father” and sometimes my “Daddy.” When we were out duck hunting, he was “Daddy.” When he gave commands he meant to be obeyed instantly, he was “Father.”

God is like that too. He’s your Father and He’s your Daddy. There are times you’ll be very serious and down to business with one another. Other times you’ll be more lighthearted. But either way, once you fellowship with Him enough to get to know Him, I guarantee, you’ll want to be close to Him all the time.