JUST THINKING: Love Lessons from a Loving Father

         I was just thinking about the upcoming Father’s Day that celebrates the men who are called daddy, dad, pop or papa. It reminded me just how important fathers are in the molding of the lives of their children.

      How sad it is when some men do not take the time to spend with their children or to even display affection and deep love for those children. In this column, I want to share some things about the Father who cares — who truly loves His children. Of course, I am referring to our Heavenly Father, who is also called by several names: God, the Almighty, Jehovah and especially Father.

         From Luke 15, the Holy Spirit inspired Luke, the doctor who traveled with Paul, to write about a lost son — a prodigal, who decided to leave his home, his family and true love. Here are some lessons we can learn:

      • A lesson from a father who is generous —Jesus said, “…There was man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, “Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.” (Luke 15:11-12 NIV). Not only was that father generous, he was fair. That is a very good example of who children can learn from good old dad — if they only pay attention. May we never forget that our Heavenly Father is fair in all His dealings with His children.

         • A lesson from a father whose life was disrupted by a wayward son —I cannot properly identify with such a situation because our son has never been wayward. But as a pastor, I have witnessed just how terrible it is for a father and mother when the children stray toward what the world offers rather than what Jesus Christ offers. Some do not hear again from that wayward child after he or she departs. Worry sets in, and the father lies awake at night, just praying and wondering if the child is well or if he or she is even alive. The prodigal was enjoying what the world had to offer — until it was no longer appealing.

      “Not long after that, the younger son got together all that he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything” (Luke 15:13-16).

      That young man had no Western Union, no bank transfers and no cell phone. He was totally destitute! Finally, the young man came to his senses, realized his foolishness and that he had sinned against his dad. He decided to go back home.

         • Learn from a father who longed for reconciliation —“…But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him…” The father didn’t stand on the front porch with his arms crossed, just waiting to chastise his boy. No. “He ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him (Luke 15:20).

         • Learn from a father who does not show partiality — Despite the older brother’s objections to the reconciliation and complaining, the father displayed fairness to both sons. The older brother, who had been at home, was actually far away from his father. Our Heavenly Father loves us with unconditional love. Even when believers backslide in their walk with Christ, the Father is always ready for us to return, and He welcomes them back with a love like no other.

      A good earthly father will emulate the character of his Heavenly Father. Sometimes even dads need to return to the Heavenly Father who loves them so. They may need to repent and return to the Lord. They may need to gather their family together, put their arms around them, hug them, kiss them and show them they are truly loved.

      Dads, the Bible teaches that we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Your closest neighbors are your family. Love them as Christ has loved you — totally and unconditionally.