Father Knows Best

Father’s Day evokes a lot of memories about my dad, Babe.  He had a 6^th grade education, wisdom beyond his learning and played AAA baseball.  He worked 42 years with Shell Oil and was married 65 years to my mom, Pauline.  His legacy for me:  being positive no

JoAnn-Daughter, My sister rendition of Babe

matter the circumstance; be ready to help someone; running up stairs makes you look like you know where you are going; and always arrive at an appointment 10 minutes early.

Over the years my father’s wisdom has served me well.  This brings me to related biblical wisdom Nos. 12 & 13 (35 key verses for our 35 years of Living Perspectives):  The Prodigal Son and the Lord’s Prayer.  Countless times, these two revelations from Jesus have produced repentance, restoration and renewal in the lives of my clients and mentorees who were struggling with family, work, and personal issues.

The Prodigal son abused his father’s kindness and love and strayed from what he knew was the right path.  The  father never gave up hope for his son’s return.  In fact when the wayward son comes begging to be taken in, the father goes running to him.  Those Jewish rabbis and local folks  listening to Jesus were stunned.  In their culture, a father would not make the first move; the son would have to humble himself at the father’s feet.

Of course one point of the parable is that our heavenly Father, is always there, but moves towards us as we seek Him.  Like the parable father, our Heavenly Father is there waiting with mercy, grace and all kinds of provision.   It has been a personal blessing to see so many people choose to accept that love, grace and mercy of our heavenly Father in spite of past or current thoughts and actions that have not honored God. In some respects we are all Prodigal children, and yet our Father is always there.

The Lord’s Prayer is always a reminder of the presence of God the Father, and Jesus the Son, in our daily walk.  Being imperfect as we are, the image of a loving father who is willing to love, give and serve is the source of our power, patience and persistence in living a Christ-centered life.

I wonder, father, do you have a son or daughter to forgive for how they have treated you?  Son or daughter, have you a father to forgive?  And there may be more than a few fathers out there who are ready to run towards our heavenly Father to receive His love and forgiveness.

Have a great Father’s Day.