For many of us, our earthly father is disappointment. We discover after our youthful days that dad is not perfect and in fact can be a great detriment. Many have opined on the need for a father, in fact studies indicates that delinquent behavior stems from disconnection between sons and fathers. In fact most daughter too have issues if they did not have satisfying relationship with their dad. However, Christ tells us, "to call no man our father, for you have one Father and he is in Heaven." (Matthew 23:9). This is a comfort to us who do not have devout dads. For millions, the term father is as grating as taxes. Many bare the wounds of negligent and absent dads. For some their father left physically at a young age, for others he was an alcoholic or absent in mind via other drugs of choice. And yet there are other fathers who with their abuse beat their children physically, emotionally, and even in some cases sexually.
The dad is meant to be a man in tune with the divine. He was to be a patriarch who leads his family in knowing Christ. But in Twenty First Century, dads have become complacent and no longer the epitome of wisdom and zeal. Now fathers settle for being mediocre and no longer aspire to inspire their children. Many factors have contributed to the downfall of dads, but ultimately it is an individual choice to not be responsible and lead the family. The mother is the matriarch and has her part in the parental leadership, but it is the father that naturally the family as whole looks to for guidance and discernment. Alas, the devil has done his work well and helped many dads on the path to ruin. He has successfully turned knights who should be guarding their castle (home) into knaves who open wide the gate of their stronghold.
In the end, it matters not what kind of father you had on this earth. What does matter is that you connect to your Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ! Unlike the disappointing dads of this world, Our Father who art in heaven never disappoints. He is ever there, endeavoring to help us and be our comfort. Our Heavenly Father sent his only Son to save us and in Him died for our Sins. Often we hear about the Prodigal Son and how the Father waits for his return and runs out to meet him upon the Prodigal's return. Well God did the opposite, He ran to us while we ate with the pigs and lowered his hand to help us up. Jesus was covered in the mud and stink of our sin so that we could be reconciled with our Heavenly Father for once and for all!
The kind of father we need is our Heavenly One. By learning from Him we can become better dads who teach our children about Christ and model to the best of our ability the character of the Heavenly Father. Do not dwell on the dad who failed you, but rather look to the Father and His Son, the One True God who ever watches over you and knows what you need before you do. Do not project your flawed father onto God, for He is not like the man who raised or did not raise you. Remember to "honor your father," to respect that he at least played a part in your coming to this Earth. You are not obligated to like your earthly dad or to be around him, but you are required to love (respect) him for whatever good he did for you, even if it was just making you.
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