Our earliest and sometimes our most lasting notions about God, our Heavenly Father, are formed by our earliest impressions of our earthly father. The way we regard our earthly father dictates the respect, the obedience, the honor, and the love with which we regard our Heavenly Father as a youth. Those notions begin very early and slowly take shape and are redefined with maturity and perspective.
Mothers are usually most appreciated when a child is small and as a child grows up. Fathers often don’t get appreciated until much later in life. Sometimes it’s not until you’re in your thirties or older until you really understand what they did for you. Fathering never ends. Some of the best advice that I have received from my dad has been since I’ve been grown and had a family of my own.
Fathers need to be leaders in their home. They need to know what direction to lead their family, and they need to accept responsibility when they go wrong. Fathers need to defy a culture that seeks to emasculate and feminize them. Fathers need to provide spiritual leadership for their family. They should not be ashamed or embarrassed to be seen praying or reading their Bibles. In fact they need to be seen doing such by their children.
The Bible portrays four major characters of God that every father should emulate.
1. God is dependable and consistent. God keeps His word. Fathers should be men of their word.
2. God is understanding. Fathers should strive to better understand their children.
3. God is forgiving. We need to forgive our children and model forgiveness for them.
4. God is loving, and that means that He always acts in our best interest. A good father always acts in the best interest of his family.
What kind of father are you? What notions about God do your children have?