When I married Karyne, I told her I was a great boyfriend, but I had no idea how to be a husband. When I became a father to Justus, I didn’t tell him – but the same rule applied, I had no idea what it meant to be a father.
Ignorance often results in experimentation. Experimentation can lead to disaster. Imagine being on an island and seeing a brand new car for the very first time. You have no idea how to use it, you don’t know what it is for, so you push it into the water and hope it will float because maybe, just maybe, it is a boat. The car is ruined…
We all do take our own thoughts and best practices into being a father/parent. But to really discover what a father/child dynamic should look like – we need to look at God the Father and Jesus the Son.
Mark 1:11
And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Mark 9:7
Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
We often glance over these verses – but I believe there is major significance to this moment. God the Father was speaking to His one and only Son. If God the Father did it with His son, I believe all fathers need to do it with their sons and daughters.
- Your are my Son, whom I love
– Father says, love you (affection)
- With you I am well pleased
– Father says, I am proud of you (admiration)
- Listen to Him
– Father says, You are good at _ (affirmation)
Jesus received this from His Father at His baptism and His transfiguration. Two major and significant moments in Jesus’ life, his father was there to speak life. His father knew, what His son needed.
Lifespring family, we are so blessed to have grandpas, fathers, and sons in this house. Challenge yourself to speak it over your loved ones – I love you, I am proud of you, You are good.
Then I challenge you to be the same to a world who is becoming fatherless.