Skip to main content

The Father-heart of God: a Definition

Having grown up hearing and learning the meaning of the “Father-heart of God”, I have never thought to sit and write a definition, until now as we prepare for a time of staff training (or envisioning). And as I have recently been told that the term didn’t make grammatical sense to someone -I wondered if it was our (mine and Samuel’s) Canadian, British and Ugandan language background, and similar church and training background that gave as a unique understanding of a term that maybe doesn’t actually makes sense? But when I googled it, mostly American blogs and studies came up - so American English uses the term too …but what does the term mean? That is what I want to write about here.

I am sitting in a coffee shop, thinking about the Father-heart of God, with headphones on. I felt compelled to listen to “How Great Thou Art” as I write and wish I could sing at the top of my voice while sitting here… thinking of all that it has ever meant to me and what it means now, the great truths and profound depths of love, hope, and ultimate identity stir worship in my heart.

Most of us know that one of the “names” or “titles” for God is “Father”. But have we taken the time to truly reflect on God’s HEART as our Father? We can come to God and call Him “Abba” or “Papa”. If we can call Him Abba then what does that in turn reveal about His heart AS Papa/Abba/Father/Daddy?

Jesus revealed the Father to us, and we in turn are Ambassadors of Christ -we are meant to reflect and reveal God’s heart, His Fatherhood, His Father-heart to the world.

How do I as a: daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, neighbour, writer, teacher, missionary, leader, worshipper, singer, servant -how do I reflect and reveal the Father-heart of God?

I must first understand it -not theoretically, not philosophically, not theologically, but experientially.

I hope to express here, just a little, of what the term “Father-heart of God” means to me, of what truth I have learnt on my own journey of learning to know and experience the Father-heart of God…and, I am not there yet, not all the way, but below is some point form and some scriptures and questions for further study. I hope you will be encouraged to seek to know both what the term “Father-heart of God” means, and to experience the love and intimacy that is available to us, and to be shared in knowing God as our Father - experientially.

Aside from the truths learnt, I am not going to say too much about myself nor the circumstances that originally brought me to my first (and subsequent) experiences of knowing the Father-heart of God, except to say that in great pain, disillusionment, feelings of rejection, and confusion, in family and in church life, I first felt very deeply and was able to share in my 5th grade classroom, as a young girl, the fact that I knew deeply that God IS my Father, and that no matter what human failings I might observe,  no matter if those who taught me God’s Word completely lived out the truths of His Word (and ultimately none of us do completely, though we should strive to), that His Word IS true. He IS a Father to the fatherless. I learnt that profoundly, deeply, truly, at the age of 12. And I have been on a journey of growing and learning and experiencing the (inner-)healing that comes with that truth. …and not that God is ONLY Father -He is also Creator, Husband, Redeemer, Healer, Peace, Saviour, Sanctifier, and SO much more -but I think that because God created us to be in family and to learn, know and express identity in family, it is profoundly important to know Him as Father. Not to just know or even pray to the “name” Father, but to understand His heart as Father-God.

For a brief time before understanding God as my Father, and consequently, at times as I grew and matured in my walk, I experienced (to varying degrees) an “orphan-heart” (which, along with “Father-heart”, may be an unfamiliar term -but I will not go into that here). It is that “orphan-heart” that cries out to know and experience adoption, relationship, and identity in God as Father.

Who is God, as Father? What does His Word reveal to us about His Father-heart?
  • ·      Throughout the old testament we see God as a Father to Israel, one place that I love, is the graphic parable told by Ezekiel, of God finding Israel as an abandoned and bloody  baby girl, left in a field. It is His Father-heart that compels Him to go to save that baby girl -that nation – me- you.
  • ·      God the Father, is of course the Father of Jesus (both through the immaculate conception, and in eternal relationship – in the mystery of the Trinity, ONE God, but 3 distinct persons)…He shows His Father-heart TO Jesus, which is a revelation of His heart to us (2 examples in scripture are in Matthew 3:17 at Jesus’ baptism, in Matt. 17:5, at the transfiguration) :

o   The Father states about Jesus that He is, “My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” and says to “listen to Him” - this shows some characteristics of God’s love for Jesus as His Son, and as He is our Father (along with other scriptures which confirm this) He has the same heart towards us as His children:  IDENTITY, APPROVAL,  LOVE
  • ·      We are constantly loved by our Father God
  • ·      He provides for us (daily food, presence, gifts, healing)
  • ·      He disciplines us
  • ·      He teaches us
  • ·      He offers forgiveness as our Father
  • ·      We have a HOPE and FUTURE because of His Father-heart
  • ·      When in a relationship with our Father-God, we are made perfect in His love and our fears are eliminated
  • ·      When we worship we experience the Father’s love
  • ·      When we GIVE love (in obedience and in relationship with Him), we also experience His love



There is so much more that I could say from experience, from observation, from learning, from research, and more importantly from God’s Word, but in conclusion here, maybe as more of a definition of the term itself: the “Father-heart of God” describes not only a characteristic, name, and position, but an intrinsic, innate nature and attitude.  Someone recently said something to me about my own “mother’s-heart” in relation to my son being away and probably missing him and longing to be with him. In the same way, God has a Father-heart toward me and you. Because God is GOD, and is I AM, and is revealed to us, as ONE God, made of THREE persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), revealed with so many names/titles/characteristics He is not limited as I am, and is greater than I could ever express here, but I hope that at least explains the term (?)

Reader’s Favourites

Father's Heart Coffee

Father’s Heart Coffee gives 100% profits to The Father’s Heart Village in El Salvador. With every sip, you empower us to sustainably care for the holistic needs of orphaned children.   Lets us know if YOU want to try our coffee! It is: -Shade grown -High Altitude (Apeneca) -Pacamara -Honey Process -Organic -Dark, Medium or Blonde Roast AND, for every pound of coffee sold, we can purchase 30 blocks for building a future of hope! We can ship coffee to you anywhere in North America! Order via our Canadian Website - donate page (more order options coming soon too!): www.fhfcanada.ca And, don't forget to order your copy of our book! Proceeds help our family to care for fatherless children in El Salvador & Uganda! Amazon Author Page
Read more

Reflections on Rwanda from 2004

A City on A Hill Written by Charity Pilkey, January 2004, after visiting Rwanda ( the land of a thousand hills ) Teardrops falling on a thousand hills Somehow invisible Footprints marching on a thousand hills Somehow silent Bloodstains rolling on a thousand hills Somehow transparent Echoes crying on a thousand hills Somehow muffled Tears that fell, now fall from mourners Survivors march to make new prints Blood now dried, remains a vivid reminder New cries resound on a thousand hills So, if you are remaining Keep walking and learning Keep striving and yearning For His light to shine brilliantly From this land of a thousand hills.
Read more

Angels and Demons - waking to an African War Cry in the village

The New testament of the Bible retells several stories of Jesus casting out demons, and also of visitations by angels. The demonic is something that Christians in North America oft stay away from, and I have never written about my own experiences with seeing the power of God triumph over evil, although many have heard me tell at least one story of an encounter with the enemy, and seeing the power of God displayed with the Sword of the Spirit, which IS the Word of God… Now that we have recently returned from Uganda, and we were retelling one story, I have decided to post some of the story here. This is not a theological debate, nor even the complete story (with all of its details), but is my own personal experience with a recent spiritual battle, and some of the truths of God’s Word which I was impressed to read during this battle. It was late one evening, in our village home in Uganda. The children and I had gone to bed early compared to the rest of the family, who normally ...
Read more

listening and writing habits

So, I haven’t written a blog post in 4 months (!) and have also taken a 2 week break from other writing/editing/website work…so, I need to practice putting words on paper (or on a screen) before getting back to work… These past several months have been full of growth, challenges, and blessings, and I am SO thankful for God’s mercies which are new every morning, and for His people who encourage me/us. Some lessons seem to be life-long, and God keeps on bringing me back to grow even more in areas of my life that I thought had already been matured. And, as is always the case, He uses the people around me (like my littles!) and His Word to challenge and sanctify! I am so glad that it is GOD who promises to complete the work that HE began in me! Lately, I have been so encouraged by making it a habit to listen to podcasts and imusic audio studies, and to also put on either worship music or preaching (usually with headphones/earbuds in just one ear, so I am still “present”). It i...
Read more

Contending for the Faith, Discerning Doctrines, and a Scriptural Mandate for Judging Rightly

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (from the book of Jude) I fellowship with, minister with, and would never publicly criticize believers of different denominations, worship styles, and cultures, who believe the biblical Gospel and believe in the biblical Christ; even if they differ on non-foundational doctrines - or are different denominations. We are called to love each other and to be unified as Christ’s body. The purpose of any facebook posts and of this blog was and is to encourage believers to test everything against the Word of God, and to beware of false teaching and false teachers - who do not...
Read more

reflections on airports and travel (written in 2003)

Departures Written by Charity Pilkey, April 2003  To every photograph, there exits the negative from which the subject was derived. And here stand many subjects. Some would think themselves the photographer, or more defined as the photojournalist. Others, of course, are the born model. While some still, would rather not be depicted as either. But all are indeed, to me and my purpose, if not in reality  the subject. The subjects in a photograph taken here, before each one’s destination, and yet also, after their arrival. Each one has a negative; a strip like that of a comic, but more properly described as a slide-show. And whether their departure is but for a little while or if it is expected to be for an eternity, there will exist forever in their mind’s eye, this place of departure and the happenings that brought them here. This place where everyone holds ready their passport, will be stamp now in each one’s  life passport . A stamp which cannot be erased....
Read more

Old Poem about being pressured into Abortion, thinking about "Eradicating suffering through abortion"...

There are so many reasons that a woman choses to have an abortion...our family has worked closely with Crisis Pregnancy Centres and I have heard many stories... but it is the very odd woman who actually has a personal desire to end a pregnancy and who actually believes that what she is doing is morally right. But, there are entire nations who have brainwashed their citizens into thinking that in some cases it really is the best option... Below is a poem that I wrote about a particular case, a VERY long time ago...her case was unique in that she was not just being pressured by society nor financial or other life circumstances, but she was in an abusive relationship and being pressured into having a late-term abortion, by the baby's father. We named her, "Prayer". Not all cases are like this, and every case, like every person is unique. But, regardless, my personal belief is that there is never a situation where abortion is the answer. And, if you think that you are in a ...
Read more

Do we have something radically different to offer the world this weekend?

“ Are we using our freedom to make this Good News plain? Or are we so separatistic that we have no connection with unbelievers ; or are we so worldly they don't know we have anything radically different to offer?" (Quote from Desiring God/John Piper) (An attempt to look biblically at culture and the Gospel, in relation to Resurrection Sunday) Today (Good Friday), we remember the death of our Lord, Sunday we celebrate His resurrection, and daily we await His return. All of history is pivoted on Christ’s death and resurrection. Beginning in Genesis: Creation, the Fall and the first Messianic prophesy, throughout the old testament and both Israel’s and all of mankind’s history, leading up to what we have recorded in the Gospels. And now, as we await Him returning in Judgement, we proclaim that Gospel to a lost world…and we teach our children how to know, love, and live in relationship with Jesus–Messiah. May God help us as we seek to share the Gospel, and as we tea...
Read more

What do so-called “False Teachers” teach, and how can we know it is false?

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 I feel compelled by a biblical mandate, to say something about a huge burden that I have had for several year now, and that has been growing - to warn people about false teaching! Anytime a doctrine or teaching or movement is presented as biblical truth to the church in general, every individual Christian, and leaders in particular, are to rightly judged such teachings ...
Read more

Life in the village, as a parable that points to Christ and to eternity

I have stepped out of the village for one week, and am spending time with my sister and her family in Kampala (with my 4 littles). Samuel is still in the village and working hard to finish a permanent brick house for our extended family there. We began this house 9 years ago, and it has been very slowly taking shape. Unfortunately, not much can be accomplished with any quality, without Samuel overseeing (even now, if he leaves a “professional” builder to work on one portion of the house, while he is on the other side, he can come back and find that no level has been used, and the work needs to be redone).   As I wrotelast time , I could die to certain life comforts, and would gladly count them a loss for Christ, but still struggle with being a foreigner with the language. We haven’t been called to live and minister long term in an African village (at this point in our lives). So, I am enjoying a visit with my sister before spending the next few weeks in the village and the...
Read more