The Love of a Father

I can't wait to be a father someday.

I think stepping into fatherhood would be such an amazing and life-changing experience, not only because I will have brought a living, breathing human baby into the world (life is such a miracle) but also because I think I will be opened to a whole new world of understanding of God's love for His children.

Yesterday, I was at my aunt's house and my older cousin Peter was there. Peter is married and has two kids, but he and I have known each other for many years and are pretty close. His first child, Elijah, is quite the character. definitely has a goofy, outgoing, and pretty eccentric personality but he's a lot of fun.

While I was sitting in the living room, I witnessed something that threw me into a very real illustration of Fatherly love.

Elijah, being the wild and energetic kid that he is, climbed up on top of a cupboard and sat on top of it. It happened to be right next to a window that overlooked an alleyway. Peter immediately commanded Elijah to get down from the cupboard, but Elijah complained and asked his dad why he needed to get down.

Of course, Peter was only concerned for Elijah's safety and explained to Elijah that he could fall out the window if he wasn't careful. Elijah grudgingly hopped down and stomped over to the couch and plopped down. Again, he continued to complain and whine, not understanding his father's will; and again Peter told him "That's daddy's rule".

Elijah argued back, "You have so many rules!"

Peter responded authoritatively but calmly, "Well, then learn to follow them."

As Elijah stormed upstairs upset and angry, I found myself deep in revelation. What an amazingly accurate picture of our relationship with God. God, being our creator and knowing all of our needs, desires, and what's ultimately best for us, gives us commands and rules. Us as his children don't understand. We object, question, complain, and ask for an explanation that we wouldn't be able to comprehend anyway.

From an objective, outside perspective I could definitely see that Peter was acting out of a loving heart, wanting to make sure that Elijah is enjoying his playtime safely. Nothing in his disciplinary words made me question his full love for His son. If anything, it made me all the more convinced that Peter took his role and duty as a Father very seriously.

As Peter's mom (Elijah's grandma) told Peter to go after Elijah and comfort him, Peter responded, "It's okay mom, let him cry. That's how he's going to learn. He needs to learn"

What took just 15 seconds to take place illustrated before my watching and learning eyes what a Father-Child relationship looks like; and ultimately what our relationship with our Father is like. He disciplines us, setting rules before us that we will object to because they prevent us from fully indulging ourselves in "fun". But in the eyes of a wiser, caring, watchful Father, every rule and disciplinary measure is for our own good, so that we will never fall out of the windows of our own lives. The conclusion is that our God loves us so, so much and will do for us what is ultimately best for us (which is following Him).

I'm really thankful that God spoke to me in such a way, and gave me a heart, mind, and set of eyes to be able to perceive and apply. And I'm very glad that I was listening for His voice.

I hope that with this understanding I can respond the right way. I want this epiphany to really rewire my view and attitude towards God. I want to be more trusting of Him and also find more comfort by His all-powerful side.

I can't wait to understand His love more. I can't wait to be a Father, too.