The challenge was to define the perfect father.
Job 36:26 (English Standard Version)
26Behold, God is great, and we know him not;the number of his years is unsearchable.
I am a 50 something year old mother and grandmother. I have been a parent for 37 years. During some of those years I felt totally incompetent, like no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't get it quite right. That's normal - I think most of us feel that way for long periods of time. The important thing isn't that we feel inadequate - it's that we keep trying...
The more dangerous period of time was for that period of time when I thought I had it all figured out - that I was doing a good job! Ha, ha - little did I know in my immaturity that I was being set up...
Then, when my oldest was 21, Jesus melted my heart. You know the song, "He picked me up, turned me around, set my feet on solid ground....". Well, that's what happened. It was an instant turning - never to look back or return to the things of old.
So, NOW, I thought, I really do get this parenting thing and my two youngest will be blessed because of the change in me...Don't misunderstand, they have been as has been my oldest, but I still didn't get it - I am just now at the beginning of understanding...
Psalm 50:21 (English Standard Version)
21These things you have done, and I have been silent;
you thought that I was one like yourself.
But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.
I made the mistake of thinking that God was like me - that my attributes were HIS attributes...that if I was happy, mad, sad, or glad that He experienced the same emotions in the exact same way.
Job 36:26 (English Standard Version)
26Behold, God is great, and we know him not;the number of his years is unsearchable.
So, back to the challenges of the week-end. In the morning I was challenged to define the "perfect" father. We KNOW that God is perfect, but....what exactly does that mean? So, I started a list:
A PERFECT Father:
Never angry
Never too busy
Never distracted
Always happy to see me
Never yells at me
Hugs me whenever I want or need a hug
Listens to me
Looks out for me
Protects me (from myself!)
Provides for me
Thinks I'm beautiful
Thinks I sing great
Likes my hair :)
Is sad when I'm sad
Cries when I cry
Laughs when I laugh
Likes to do what I like to do...
Calls me lovely
Holy
Beautiful
Beloved
Daughter
And this is only a partial list...
Who can live up to that? Where is the earthly parent that can be all of those things? They don't exist - don't get me wrong, I know that there are a lot of great Dads out there, but who among them has achieved perfection? That has never raised his voice or been too tired, too busy, too annoyed to listen to his children?
The perfect Father, therefore, is God. He has all of those attributes and more - when we mess up and come to Him afraid of judgment, He grants us mercy. When we are disobedient and expect punishment He gives us forgiveness.
So, make your own list of what the perfect Father would be like. Then understand that all those wonderful attributes are in God's character - His very nature.
He loves us - you and me - with an everlasting love that will stand the test of time for all eternity.
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