I sat in my office and thought about the week ahead for me. As you are reading this article, our youngest son, Christopher, is about to fly to England to spend some much needed time with his siblings. Our church family is scheduled to celebrate being together in worship again with an ice cream social. I have the week off from Hospice work, which is also much needed. By Wednesday evening, Kathy and I will be experiencing, for the first time in 32 years, having an empty nest, at least for a couple of months.
My co-workers at hospice have been talking with me and reminding me of this for the past couple of weeks. They asked how I thought I would feel knowing there are no children in the home. Of course, I have no idea yet. I love having my children around, but I also want them to reach their dreams and live their lives in a way that pleases God. I began thinking back to decisions I have made as a father and the way I have, hopefully, showed them and told them how much they mean to me. We have always been a close family that tries our best to let each one know they are loved. I think I have done my best at this, though I know I have made some mistakes along the way. I am only human.
As I was thinking about this, and the fact we are approaching Father’s Day this Sunday, a passage of scripture came to my mind. In Matthew 7:11, Jesus is teaching about asking God for what you need. He says this in his teaching; “if you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him?” It doesn’t bother me that Jesus talks about an earthly father being evil. He is talking about how the earthly father, is limited in his humanity, and makes mistakes and is a sinner. There is no earthly father who is perfect. However, Jesus says that even in their humanity, earthly fathers want what is best for their children. We try to make sure our children have what they need to live a good life. Some are able to do a better job of this than others.
I love the point of Matthew 7:11, that may get overlooked. If earthly fathers, even though we are sinners, want what is best for our children, than how much more does our heavenly Father, who is perfect, want for us. He wants us to enjoy life. He wants us to have what we need as His children. It doesn’t mean we always get what we want, but we do have what we need.
As we approach Father’s Day, I give thanks for my father who gave me, and showed me love, and left a wonderful legacy for me to remember. I give God thanks for the opportunity to love and raise children, even in a difficult world. I also give God thanks for my heavenly Father, who loves me and cares for me, even in my sinful state. I encourage you to give thanks for fathers this week, but always give thanks to your heavenly Father. He loves you with an everlasting love. Until next week..
Peace and Blessings.. Johnny
