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Chapter 9 - A Father’s love

If one were to visit earth and learn about fathers from watching TV (or earlier from listening to radio) one would get a consistent picture of fathers as being a sub-species of human that is clownish, bumbling, and inept. The father it would appear is in need of constant correction, supervision, and management because of the damage he causes.

The reason for this is that Satan infuses this image into society to accomplish several objectives. He needs to weaken families so that people will see themselves more in relation to society. If fathers can be pictured as a joke, their words, advice, and counsel, will be given little regard.

In contrast to the contemporary image of fathers as a joke in society, we get a different picture for most of history. A father’s work enabled a family to survive. His protection kept them safe, and wisdom helped them learn and grow. A father’s sons worked with him as more than apprentices who would learn how to work and how to live from the example and instruction of their father.

There was a closeness of family life of which we only get fragments of today as it was almost universal in days gone by.

In addition to physical closeness and time spent with his children, the father of days gone by would see his every act as an investment in the future of his family. Children were not an intrusion into his private life. Children were his life.

Jesus gives an illustration of our relationship with God using a father as an example. He describes the earthly father as having natural affection, care, and love for his children. This then is used to expand into consideration of how much greater affection, care, and love God has for his children.

A man once described the joy he felt when his five year old would hear his car pull up at home after work and run out to welcome him home with a hug and a kiss and a declaration of, 'I love you Daddy'. He then thought about the times when she didn’t because of her preoccupation with someone else or some activity and thought of how it reflected on his own neglect of God.

The expression, 'Get married and settle down' is often used to describe the transition of a man’s life from the selfishness of youth to the responsibilities of adulthood. Sometimes a man might have regrets for the lost pleasures of youth or chafe at the obligations of responsibility. However, when children are born so helpless and dependant, it is not unusual for even the most reluctant father to see the rest of his life as a pouring out into the lives of his children.

The ability to understand a father’s love is limited today by fatherhood so often being an accidental by-product of recreational fornication. There is also a disconnect between fathers and their children through school and the father’s absence from the home for his employment. Sadly, the relationship between a father and child is often reduced to an occasional financial transaction.

A father may have a desire to provide his children with instruction, guidance, character development, and self-discipline, but have no idea himself what to say or do. That so many fathers have come to such a state of deficiency is a testimony to the effectiveness of Satan’s plans. However, it makes understanding a relationship with God even more difficult as the example of our earthly fathers is so often crippled.

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