Happy Father's Day

Like Father, Like Son

“The Son can do nothing by himself.
He does only what He sees the Father doing,
and in the same way.”
John 5:19(TLB)

You’re a new father, holding your newborn son—a bundle of possibilities, when realization penetrates the fog of exhilaration. He is helpless; totally dependent upon you for food, protection, guidance, and a role model.

As he grows, it gets scarier. You see possibilities for failure. There’s more required than you first thought: time, patience, and commitment to develop him into the kind of person you and God will be proud of. You recognize a lack of knowledge, skill and wisdom for the task. What do you do?

Most people in unfamiliar situations look to an expert or self-help books for guidance. You notice children emulate what they see or hear their fathers do and say. “Who is the ultimate Father?” you ask. “That’s the kind of father I want to be like.”

The best expert on anything is its creator. Therefore our expert is God. His son, Jesus said he only did what his Father told him to do. “Maybe,” you reason, “the secret to this fathering thing is to see how our Heavenly Father does it.”

There are three things that makes God a good father.

First, God is not unfair. He doesn’t ask His Son to do something against His own laws or commandments, His code of conduct. Don’t ask your child to do something you would not or could not do. For example, is he too young to understand what you’re asking—is it unreasonable? Does it require more than he is able to give? Again, how does God treat you as His child? Does He ask anything you’re not capable of doing? Therefore, are you fair-minded?

Second, God is always there to listen to His children. Are you available to listen to your child—even when he or she goes over the same things numerous times? Can your child come to you and say, “I need to talk.” What response will he get? “Sure, what’s on your mind?” Or, “No, not now! I’m too busy;” How long before that will be interpreted as “I am not as important as what you’re doing.”

Jesus said, “Let the children come unto me! Never send them away! For the Kingdom of God belongs to men who have hearts as trusting as these little children’s. And anyone who doesn’t have their kind of faith will never get within the Kingdom’s gates” (Luke 18: 16-17, TLB). When others would push them away as a nuisance or bothersome, Jesus pulls them upon his lap! Do you emulate Him?

Third, do you communicate love and affirmation to your child? God did for His Son. When Jesus wanted to be baptized, John said, “This isn’t proper, I am the one who needs to be baptized by you. But Jesus said, ‘Please do it, for I must do all that is right’” (Matthew 3:14-15, TLB.) By doing this, He was showing the world His complete obedience, and His Father responded. “After His baptism, as soon as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened to Him and He saw the Spirit of God coming down in the form of a dove. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, and I am wonderfully pleased with Him’” (Matthew 3:16-17, TLB).

I watched with amusement one day a little boy walking alongside his Dad. Trying to match strides he imitated his father’s walk, swinging his arms back and forth. His father pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his face; the little boy did the same. In essence he was proclaiming, “I want to be just like you, Dad.” Are you the kind of role model your child wants to follow and obey? Do you affirm your child’s value and worth with, “Well done!” or,“I’m proud of the way you handled that difficult situation.” Does your child hear praise or constant criticism? “And now a word to you parents. Don’t keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather, bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice” (Ephesians 6:4, TLB).

Does it sound like an impossible task to be a good father? Loving and kind? Compassionate and fair? It may be—except for God’s example and help. “He is like a Father to us, tender and sympathetic to those who reverence Him” (Psalms 103:13, TLB).

You too are God’s dear child, and can access His help even as Jesus, His Son, did. Call upon Him, ask for help and direction. Ask Him to stamp His image on your heart. Then you will be the kind of father He intended you to be—like Him!