The Relational Father
I opened to Zechariah chapter 10, and an example of parenting—specifically fathering—exploded off the page. (I love when that happens!) Don’t mind if I share …
ASK the Lord for rain
In the time of the latter rain (spring).
The Lord will make flashing clouds;
He will give them showers of rain,
Grass in the field for everyone.
“SPRING ALWAYS BRINGS RAIN.” ← Does this assumption leave me unthankful for the gift of rain?
Child’s expectation: “When I wake up in the morning, there will be a new video game/bike/toy/car waiting for me.”
For the idols speak delusion;
The diviners envision lies,
And tell false dreams;
They comfort in vain.
Therefore the people wend their way like sheep;
They are in trouble because there is no shepherd (leader/pastor/father).
Lethal Belief: “I want my child to like me. I want us to be friends.”
God’s inspiration: His love for us won’t allow Him to enable bad attitudes or habits.
♥ DAD, don’t give false hope, or establish your child’s self-esteem on selfishness, or downplay a serious misdeed. Let your child suffer consequences for disobedience, and he’ll thank you . . . in about 20 years.
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(After He judged the false shepherds/leaders, He took over “parenting” His children)
For the Lord of hosts will visit His flock . . .
And will make them as His royal horse in the battle.
. . .
They shall be like mighty men,
Who tread down their enemies
In the mire of the streets in the battle.
They shall fight because the Lord is with them,
And the riders on horses (oppressors) shall be put to shame.
Got ego? “He’s just a kid and doesn’t understand anything. Not worth my effort or time at this age.”
God’s example: He never abandons His children but stands by our side and builds us up. He disciplines and corrects not merely to please Himself or satisfy his own ego, but for our sake. He views us, His children, as ROYALTY.
♥ DAD, your children will learn to fight for the right things because you are with them. Side by side.
“I will strengthen . . .
I will save . . .
I will bring them back,
Because I have mercy on them.
. . . For I am the Lord their God,
And I will hear them.
(They) shall be like a mighty man,
Their heart shall rejoice in the Lord.
I will whistle for them and gather them,
For I will redeem them;
And they shall increase . . .
4 easy ways to turn a child’s heart against you: Humiliate, belittle, criticize, & ridicule.
God’s example: He brings us back from our wayward ways. Why? Because our Father is compassionate–and His kids REJOICE in their hearts.
♥ You da DAD! View your children’s future in a positive light. Expect imperfection. They need your mercy because they are imperfect. And once they experience your mercy without condemnation, they’ll come running when you call and they’ll not only rejoice, they shall prosper!
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The LEGACY of Good Fathering
RELATIONAL authority
PRINCIPLED authority
MERCIFUL authority
ENCOURAGING authority
Because you’ve been highly involved–you’ve trained, instilled values, encouraged, envisioned, endured with–your children will easily transfer their loyalty to their Father in heaven.
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“I will sow them among the peoples, and they shall remember Me in far countries;
They shall live, together with their children . . .Until no more room is found for them.
The children enter the real world and continue to prosper.
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He (God) shall pass through the sea with affliction,
And strike the waves of the sea:
All the depths of the River shall dry up.
They shall pass through life’s storms with God leading them like a shield.
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Then the pride of Assyria shall be brought down,
And the scepter of Egypt shall depart.
As a trained obedient servant of the Lord, he will advance the Kingdom and overcome darkness.
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“So I will strengthen them in the Lord,
And they shall walk up and down in His name,”
Says the Lord.
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Your children will be strengthened and walk in glory, passing on the legacy to your grandchildren. So to all you faithful dads…
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
You rock!
LEAVE a comment and tell me about your dad.
The Way of the Embattled Spirit
