For 34 years, I have questioned my ability to be a good father. I was talking with my son and many things he said were things that I thought of way back then. Before I found out I was going to be a father, I wondered if I was good enough to be a proper dad. Did I have the patience, the knowledge, the care to be a loving father? My memories of my father are all over the place. There were times when things were not so good and then there were times when he and I got along famously but through it all, I knew I could count on him if I was in dire need. There were times I pushed my father a bit too much and I deserved the punishment I got for some of my transgressions. I look at my role as father to my son and I will acknowledge there were times and situations I wish I could go back and do it over differently. You see, all have sinned and fallen short. Consider this passage from Luke.
“So, he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. Luke 15:20 NLT
Two things spark my curiosity with regards to this passage; the father was so hurt by the son demanding his inheritance, yet he was watching for his return. Secondly, how bad did the father feel when he sent his son away rather than look for ways to keep him at home? I believe this passage helps us to understand our Heavenly Father when it comes to wayward children. The love the father had for the son was so great that not only did he wait upon the son’s return but when he returned, the father was so overjoyed, he did not care who was watching, he ran out to the filthy, stinking son and embraced him. His sense of loss was replaced with an overwhelming joy on his return. With the son’s return, the burden of separation and the guilt of thinking he was responsible for the separation was removed when the son walked through the gates. You see, there are no perfect fathers save our Father in Heaven. We all will mess up; we all beat ourselves up with that one question “could I have done something differently?” Allow me to propose this suggestion; celebrate your fathers, forgive them for their errors (they are only human), celebrate them and lift them up. Most will move heaven and earth to protect and love their children, give thanks.
This Sunday, we will look at three fathers from scripture who did all they could to guide, protect, and love their children. Join us as we celebrate fathers and reflect on their influence in our lives. Please join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.
Blessings,
Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”
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