God the Father is the perfect model for dads. If you are a father of children it is no mistake but is ordained by God to a call to lead a family. You are a father because your Heavenly Father trusts you to do well as one. You are a father because your Heavenly Father wants you to enjoy the fullness of fatherhood, the same that He enjoys being a Father to you.

Many have grown up with a tainted image of a father. Our culture, beliefs and world standards have tainted this image and have distanced the father-child relationship. ‘Familiarity breeds contempt’ this phrase is so readily accepted that we are afraid to lose our hold on our family members due to close association and therefore distance ourselves.

But is this what God meant to be a Father? In Christ Jesus, today the once distant God is in the closest proximity to humankind. The Heavenly Father demonstrated His agape love for you and me through His Son Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father tore away the veil and destroyed all barriers between us, then what are we holding on to? It is not the distance that brings about change in your loved ones. It is your love towards them that will keep them together with you.

The verse in 2 Samuel is the covenant that God made with King David and is also a covenant He makes with us. The Heavenly Father declares to be your Father and you His son. He proclaims to be a Father to you at all times. To guide you through difficult times and lead you back from your wrong ways. He is your Father who assures His love that will never depart from you.

Receive the limitless love of the Father and you will gradually spread it out to your family. As you gain proximity to your Heavenly Father you will enjoy those moments and the Holy Spirit will lead you to have those moments with your children. You will treat your children the way Daddy God treats you. You will begin to discipline your children the way the Lord disciplines you. You will be a replica of the Heavenly Father!

Your faith will be a refuge for your children. In our daily life decisions and struggles our children are silent observers. Our behaviour, reactions and response to situations are keenly noticed by them. They look to parents for reassurance and hope in times of family hardships and struggles. Being the head of the family as you submit to and honour God in your decision, your faith will be a source of comfort and security to your children. As they see their Dad submit to God in all ways they begin to get an assurance that your counsel is not based on selfish motives or worldly pressures. Confidence is built up and the bond gets stronger.

Therefore pursue to seek the Lord with all your heart. Take refuge in Him and submit to His ways and as you do so you become a hiding place for your children. They will come to you for answers, they will seek you when they are afraid. They will have an assurance of a place where they will be accepted just as they are no matter what. Your reverence for God strengthens your relationship with your children and builds their confidence in you.

YOU ARE CALLED TO ENJOY

Enjoy your gift! God gifted you with your children not to be weighed down by responsibilities but to enjoy your children. It seems easy to play, and have fun with children when they are small but as they grow big we find it difficult. It is something like when a gift is new we relish it till it gets too familiar. Imagine you see your friend manhandle a costly gift you gave some time ago. It would not be a good feeling, right? It is the same when God sees us sideline our children in the name of work, busy schedule, stress etc. God has awarded you with your children so that you can enjoy your life at every stage.

God the Father desires us to spend quality time with Him so that our relationship grows stronger, He can reveal to us His secrets etc. And we as faithful Christians develop a lifestyle too to have our quiet time with God and also inculcate the same in our children which is very good. But as an earthly father do you desire to spend quality time with your children?

You spending time with your children is not for them alone to feel good but it is for you to enjoy them. Yes, we spend time with God to get refreshed, strengthened etc. but the most beautiful part of this time is that God enjoys us when we spend time with Him. The best way to enjoy every growing stage of your child is to grow with them. Take time to understand each stage and assure them of your support. Be there for them when needed. Talk to them, communicate your feelings, and emotions to them and as you do so they will reciprocate the same way. Pray for them, pray with them and also encourage them to pray for you this will strengthen the cords of this relationship. It is worth anything in this world to set aside your work, money and time for your family.

As you walk with the Heavenly Father as His son, though Not Perfect you will be Led by His Spirit to bring up a generation that will seek Him. Fathering wise children will bring you great joy therefore enjoy your fatherhood because you are called to rejoice with your children!