God Our Father - Living Lesson

Living Lesson: God Our Father

by: Christopher Wiles

It was a busy day; Wednesday's always are.  The boys rested after enjoying a fun afternoon stomping mud puddles all around the neighborhood, the evidence was tough for Ashley to scrub off their faces.  Around 4pm,  I passed from the house to the church building to notice the back wall graffitied with a mud spray that could have come from Serangeti sized elephants running amuck.  My little pachyderms were in hot water.  How dare they ignore the soiled sanctity of church property while enjoying afternoon snacks and leisure time at home?

You may say, "Boys will be boys" but I seethed with, "Whoever spares the rod hates their children." (Prov 13:24).

I immediately marched two young men outside, ready to spank at the sight of the desecration of the white brick wall.  Yet their attitudes were completely repentant when they saw the result that they had been oblivious to in their muddy battle royale.  Heartfelt apologies came immediately and young men began vigorously scrubbing the wall.  This dad's heart was softened and he relented because they repented.

God's righteous anger at the blatant disrespect of his children burns hot doesn't it?  "God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day." (Psa 7:11)  Even for all His righteous wrath, He still has a soft spot for His repentant kids, as evidenced in the following passage, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14.  God  acknowledges our apologies, hears our humbleness, and honors our efforts to seek His face. I'm grateful for our Heavenly Father, showing us how to be better dads.

My prayer for all you God-fearing father figures is that you seek and understand the nature of God, who gave us the model for how to train, discipline, and love our children.  May you and your family be blessed by our Father who is in Heaven. 

Living Lessons are practical every day lessons that Topher writes from his learning experiences.  They are featured weekly in the Washington Church of Christ bulletin.  Click here to find more: LIVING LESSONS.