My father once admitted to me, “When you were growing up, I was gone a lot.”
I don’t remember that. Besides working his full-time job, he was gone some evenings to make sure the kitchen staff put out all the dishes hot and properly garnished. Occasionally my Dad the “Chef” traveled for a week on special engagements in Atlantic City, Philadelphia or New York. But for all the significant (and many small) moments of my life-he was there.
For instance, when I was 6, I had a tiny part in an afternoon play at school. All the mothers came, but only one dad-mine. In many little ways, he always let my sisters and me know that we were important to him and that he loved us. And seeing him tenderly caring for one of our Great Danes in last few months of her life taught me exactly what unselfish love looks like. Dad wasn’t perfect, but he’d always been a man who gave me a good glimpse of my heavenly Father. And ideally, that’s what a Christian dad should do.
At times earthly fathers disappoint or hurt their children. But our Father in heaven is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy” (Ps. 103:8). When a dad who loves the Lord corrects, comforts, instructs, and provides for the needs of his children, he models for them our perfect Father in heaven.
How blessed are the children who in their fathers see the tender Father-love of God, and find their way to Thee.
See you next Sunday.
MJ