My daughter has a set of friends that she met when they were five and seven respectively.
They have now been friends for close to 10 years.
Recently, as our families were hanging out together and sitting around the dining room table and talking about times past. The now teenagers shared how scared they were of me.
When they were little, they saw me as this very stern figure who was strict and not quite mean, but not friendly either.
Over the years our relationships have deepen and our family spend a fair amount of time together. We’ve gotten to see each other under many different circumstances. Matter of fact, often times, hearing the school gossip is the highlight of my day when I pick them up from school.
As they shared their perspective of me of when they were children, I can’t help but think of when I was a child and how I viewed God. He did not seem like a figure that was filled with love and care, but one that we were told to have fear of and that He would punish us if we did not do what He said.
However, as I’ve grown up and developed my own relationship, I realize that my perception of who God is was marred by the misunderstandings of a child’s version, and also the misinformation that I might have gotten from those around me.
As we celebrate Father’s Day today, what version of God do you have? Is it one where He is stern and strict and unloving? Or, do you consider him a friend, a brother who loves at all times, a father, and even someone to laugh and cry with?
I don’t know what version of me my daughter’s friends got 10 years ago, but I am very happy to know that these days I would consider them my little friends as we laugh and talk and are in true relationship with each other.
I know today is a complicated day for some and whatever perspective you may have of your father, I pray that you see your heavenly father through His love and care for you. He has promised never to leave or forsake us and that is a promise I will cling to.
Dear Heavenly Father, we are so grateful that you are not a distant father, but you have chosen to come close to love us, to be in relationship with us, to teach us of who you are. Father for those who have complicated relationships, with their earthly fathers I asked that you be the balm that they need. For those who are grieving because their fathers aren’t around, I ask that you comfort them too.
Happy Fathers Day!