Being a Father

Posted on by Yoanes Koesno

Being a father, I have learnt some things:

  1. I learnt that the most important thing I could do, as a father is to set the right example /be the right role model for my children.

Just like God who is our eternal Father. Through Jesus Christ, He set the right example for us of how to live on earth. He is our perfect role model and to Him we ask for guidance. He shows us the way.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6 

  1. As a father, I know now why God doesn’t answer our prayers, or so we thought.Just like I would not buy toys that Talia wants when she saw it in the store, It is because she does not need more toys.

God answers our prayers, it is a matter of whether we need, not want, Him to answer it next day, next week, next year or any other time. God answers our prayers in His time. God knows when to give what is needed to His children, just like I know when I have to give what is needed to Talia.

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him

 Matthew 7:9-11 

  1. As a father, I know I could never force my children to love/obey me.

If I force them, they will be rebellious instead. God knows this very well too. He gives us freedom to love or not love Him, to obey or not to obey Him; to follow or not to follow His commands. He never forces us to do something; He let us choose what we want. He does wants us to obey Him out of love, just like I will be happy when my children obey me out of love, not fear nor force.

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

John 14:21 

  1. I learnt that it is the hardest thing to discipline your children.You don’t want to do it, but you know you have to, for your children’s own sake/goodness.

Same like God who doesn’t want us to go through the not-so-lovely experiences in life, but He knows we need it so that we learn that only in Him we can live. True love rebukes.

And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,  6because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”[a]  7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.

 Hebrews 12:5-8 

  1. A child is a blessing, no matter how rebellious they are.

I will always think my children as blessings, regardless how naughty they are. God also view us in the same way. Even though we have done many wrongs to Him, He always open up His arms widely and willing to extend His forgiveness at any time. We are His blessings and never His curse.

 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3 :16

Author – Lukman Setiawan