HomeRevelations… lessons in fatherhood.
Ok, Christmas Eve, this week is moving so fast. Yesterday was very interesting as a man, a husband and a parent. I finally felt and understood that my parents were not really trying to be mean to me when they were mean to me. It was more likely that my actions had necessitated harsh punishment to bring me back in line. I am currently learning that with my daughter. She is testing boundaries and seeing how much control she has. Although I desire not to be harsh on her, I have realized that letting her lead and rule will cost much more in the long run than the few minutes of discomfort of removing her from a restaurant for blatant disobedience. It is a strange paradox, loving something so much yet having to punish. It is an interesting picture of God that we live every day. In fact, how much more is it that he punishes us because he loves us? and should we refer to it as punishment, or more appropriately as discipline. In revelations 3:19, Jesus says “Those whome I love I rebuke and discipline…”
In Hebrews 12:7 “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.”
So, if I did not discipline my daughter, I would not truly love her. Likewise, if our parents had not disciplined us, then they would not have loved us, or desired the very best for us for as we see in Hebrews 12:11 “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for thos who have been trained by it.”
These are interesting facts, for we all want to avoid discipline. I have found that in my growth and faith, I have still hung on to God as the discipliner. Why? I am not sure, but that view affects how I approach Him, and hinders me. At some times, I can get past this, but I constantly struggle with this thought. However, should we not again view God as our Father, as He is referred to in the Bible so much as our father. We should not avoid discipline. We should understand that God loves us and we should know that His true and perfect Love includes discipline, not because He is a harsh God, but because he wants the very best for us in growth, faith, righteousness and blessing.
so, now we have broached fatherhood here. I have much more to share, but not time to do so now. It is most rewarding and enjoyable, and it can bring about the widest range of emotions. There is no preparation for it, you meet it where it finds you and you (and God) make of it what you can. As Bill Cosby has said, there is not an instruction book delivered with the child. You are on your own, with only what your parents have armed you with (or convinced you that you will never repeat).