“And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”” ~ Galatians 4:6
REFERENCE:
The ultimate model of who a father should be is God. He revealed Himself to us, not as a boss, lord, or even master, but as Father. He put His Spirit in us, and the first yearning of that Spirit is to call God “Abba, Father.” God, our Father, is a model of love, gentleness, mentoring, guidance, and discipline. He is not an absent Father. What manner of father are you?
Naturally, children look up to their dads. Have you ever wanted to be like your dad? Was there a time you thought he was the Superman of the comic book? Do you remember the pride you felt when he came for your special presentation in school, how he knew the answer to every question, and was the first magician you knew? Do you remember his wise words, stern discipline, and strong hands that carried you? Well, they never leave your mind.
In the same way, if none of these or just a few ever happened with your dad, you can also remember the pain, loneliness, teary eyes, wishing and wondering why he wasn’t there, the envy in your eyes when your friends’ dads showed up or when they spoke about their dads and the anger you felt towards him at how he treated your mum in an undignified manner? Do you?
Paul revealed God as Father in his writings, and in today’s Bible passage, he presents God as a father, raising a son to be the heir of his estate. The father is mindful of the son’s growth stages and exposes him accordingly, realizing that gifts or information must be age-appropriate for him. He also invests in his moral and educational development by submitting him to the tutelage of teachers and stewards. Nevertheless, he lets the child know that he is his inheritor.
Men often brag about their achievements and how they are better than others in things that don’t matter: performance in the ‘other room,’ brand of car, size of income, house, or business. If a man must brag, let him brag about how well he fathers his children to be responsible adults. Your children are your scoresheet; how they turn out will tell what manner of father you are.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Proverbs 23:15-16, Ephesians 6:4, and Genesis 18:17-19
PRAYER:
+ Heavenly Father, I pray for the father(s) in my life that you will make him/them a father(s) like You – in love, patience, goodness, and self-control.
+ Help me as a man to paint a good picture of God the Father to my wife and children. May I be a good ambassador of who You are, O Lord.
+ I receive grace to fulfill my fatherhood mandate and be present for my children.
