Happy Birthday to my dad! I wish there was some way I could express just how important my father is to me, but words can’t even explain it in one blog post. My dad has been the single most influential person in my life.
As I think about my childhood and growing up, and about the kind of man my dad is, I think about all the character traits he holds and what makes him such a great man. My dad is the strongest man I know, both physically and emotionally. I have watched my dad battle a disease that doctors said was incurable without ever showing ANY sign of weakness. My dad has never complained, not even once. I have watched him serve his country in Iraq, and I have watched him provide for his family every day of his life. To be honest, I see my dad as invincible (You have NO idea how hard this makes it to date) J To me, there is little that my dad can’t do.
My dad is not perfect, but the BEST thing about him is the parallel I see between him (my earthly father) and my Spiritual Father (Christ). My father is a provider and a protector. He is the only man in my entire life that I have loved so deeply yet feared at the same time. This is the same attitude we, as Christians, are called to have towards Christ. I see the same image as Christ portayed as the lion and lamb in my dad as well.
Now, for those of you that know my dad, this sounds funny. To most people, this is who my dad is:
This is the lion. My dad is fearless and does his job well. My dad is Special forces, and when he wasn't serving his country as a Lt. Col. in the U.S. Army, he spent most of his time as "country manager of Nigeria", helping to rebuild several African countries' governments and military. I know it must be a hard job , especially leaving your family, but he does it because it is where he is called to be. For me, I see this man most of the time. He is a disciplinary, and growing up I knew the rules, and I followed them. Why? Because I feared my father - I knew the consequences that would come if I didn't obey him.
However, one of my favorite things I get to see so often is the lamb. I see a man who passionately loves the Lord and his family; A man that knows apart from Christ, he is nothing. I see a man that will scold me for doing wrong, and yet lovingly comfort me in times of my pain and shame. Never once in my life have I "gone too far", nor does he EVER bring up any of my past mistakes. This is what I love most about my dad.
I know what the Bible tells me about Christ. I know that Christ loves us deeply and that there are consequences to sin. I know the Bible also tells me that we are forgiven once we are children of Christ Jesus, and that we can likewise never go too far. How extremely blessed I am, though, to have an earthly father who gives me an idea of what this looks this. Again, my dad is human. The best part of all this is that our Heavenly Father is perfect. My dad can only give me so much love and support. My Heavenly Father can (and will) provide this in abundance. I know how much I love being loved on and hugged by my dad. How much greater will it be to be hugged on and loved by our Savior one day!
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