My Daddy and My Heavenly Father
Posted: Monday, June 22, 2009
by Swapna Nanda
Fathers Day has just gone by and many Fathers have been acknowledged by their children all over the world. Some children are fortunate to be able to wish their fathers who are still alive but for some it has been moments of nostalgic recalling of the fathers love, care and affection.
I am grateful to God that my Dad though in his 80s is still alive and I could call him up and express my gratitude and love and thank him for being my father. I also am thankful for my father-in-law who has nurtured and cared, provided and brought up my husband. We can never thank these people enough for their influence and contribution for our lives.
In general, I want to thank my Dad for not coming home drunk any day or night, for not being a wife-beater, for being faithful to my mom and to us, for always faithfully providing for the family, for being the leader of the flock, for letting me sit on his lap and listen to stories, for taking pains and steps to give me the best of education. I am sure that many children today would feel the same for their fathers.
This also reminds me of the great responsibility that every father carries with them. The responsibility of being the Image bearers of Gods attributes. A childs first impression about God comes through the father and the mother. The Heavenly Father intends to imprint His image and introduce Himself to every human being through the earthly father and mother. Therefore, it is such an important and wonderful responsibility to be a father. Through his love, affection, correction and admonition a father reveals the nature of the Heavenly Father who is Loving as well as a Just God.
The Heavenly Father as portrayed or revealed in the Bible is far more loving, accommodative, benevolent and compassionate than we can think or imagine. HE is at the same time a God who disciplines and maintains justice to His children. Often, as human beings we misunderstand Him and His ways of dealing with our lives. Like teen agers we rebel and retaliate yet the fact remains that HE is a God whose love and commitment towards us is far stronger and deeper than we can ever imagine or comprehend. Sometimes earthly fathers may fail BUT the heavenly Father never fails.
Last week I came across a story which touched my heart. According to a certain culture, the young lads before being affirmed as adults had to go through a test. In the test they have to be blind folded by a thick piece of cloth and led by the father to the deep woods and left there to spend the night among the wild animals. The challenge was not to open the blindfold at any cost at any point of time before day break and also to stay put inside the forest without running away.
The young boy who was led by this father and left in the forest was filled with anger and disdain for his father. He could not imagine staying alone in the middle of the forest blindfolded. He was upset that his father was so rude and cruel to him. Throughout the night, the young lad nurtured ill against his father. As day break came and he woke up from his slumber and opened his blindfold, he was surprised to see his father sitting beside him. His father had never left him alone. He was right there watching over and protecting him from every and any dangers.
Such is the heart of our Heavenly father who watches over us day and night so that our feet may not slip and He is always there to hold us when we fall.
I am fortunate to have known my Dad and my Heavenly Father and am still learning to trust and love Him daily.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Swapna-What a great story and reminder! It is such a comfort to think God is sitting right beside me when I go through trials! He is a great father! thanks for sharing!Thank you for reading and comenting. I am encouraged too.
Wonderful tribute to your earthly father and Heavenly Father, Swapna. I, like you, am still learning to trust and love my Heavenly Father daily.Thank you Lorrie for reading and comenting. I am encouraged too.
God bless you for this wonderful reflection.Thank you Sir
The story of the young boy in the forest was a great example. Thanks.Thanks for taking time to read and commenting.
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