Fathers

I was in Lincoln Nebraska at Heartlands church with my brother yesterday. A guy who was teaching sunday school went on this brief tangent and said something I felt was really profound.

It is often said that our perception of God as a father is radically shaped by our relationships with our own earthly fathers--be they good, bad, or lukewarm. Usually, when this topic is brought up, it is pretty centered around oneself; examining my relationship with my father and thinking about how to improve or praise that relationship while accomplishing the same thing with God.

However, there is another side to this line of thinking. One day, men like myself will likely become fathers, and the relationship we foster with our children will be instrumental in how they perceive God in their own lives. I don't know about anyone else, but for me, this line of thinking is huge! It's another important layer of responsibility in fatherhood.

I am increasingly amazed by how easily some men enter into the father role without much forethought or consideration of he sheer impact they will have on this new human being. Anyway, I am newly reminded of the gravity of fatherhood and how important it is to approach it prayerfully with a willingness to sacrifice--and with God at your side.