You know, as humans, we all bring baggage into our relationships. Even people who were great as children, and didn't really get into trouble, have a kind of baggage that feels like "perfect baggage" to the rest of us who don't have that baggage. None of us is immune. The childhoods we had, the adults we interacted with (or didn't interact with), the friends we made, the friends we lost...
The thing we are proud of and the things that bring us shame. They all affect who we are as we get older.
Then, you get married. Holy cow. Not only do you bring that baggage along for the journey, but, at least for me, I learned about a LOT of baggage I had that I didn't even know I had until I had another human doing life with me.
...then you have kids. And some more baggage comes out.
...then the kids grow up. And, if you are lucky, they all act like your spouse! :0) If not, however, then you have a younger version of yourself to help remind you of your childhood insecurities and regrets. (Maybe you are different and maybe they remind you about how awesome you were. If so, please don't tell me!)
There are fewer things that I want in life more than to be a good husband and father. I have failed at both of those things more than any other things in my life. I am going to argue that this is because I'm given WAY more opportunities to fail in these areas than in other areas. Yeah...let's go with that. :o)
Anyway, I have also succeeded at these things more than other things in my life too. It's a mixed bag. Why? Because I am too. I'm not perfect, but I'm not always broken either. But man to the "fail" days really hurt. There is real shame and frustration when my life choices hurt my family and I can say "I knew better and no I don't know why this happened anyway."
The great news for me and for any other struggling dad is this: we have someone we can look to for an example of the dad we want to be. Also, anyone who needs to be reminded of our Heavenly Father's love today; this is for you too!
Matt 6:26: God takes care of birds and we know that we are much more valuable to God than birds are.
Matt 18:12-14: Just like a shepherd, we know that if we stray or wander, God will work very hard to help bring us back into the fold.
Luke 6:35-36: reminds us that our Heavenly Father is merciful (not giving us the things that we deserve). Oh, and the verse commands us to also be merciful...
Matt 7:9-11: Earthly Fathers try to give good gifts to their kids even though we are messed up, so we can know that our Heavenly Father will be even more gracious to us as His children. (Not promising earthly treasure or wealth...just a Father who knows what is best for us and CAN do it without selfishness or pride [etc.] getting in the way.)
There are so many more. This is just 4 and I know there are a ton more and there are many more messages too. The point is simply this: we serve a God who can be an example to us of being more than our natural inclinations will make us. Especially as fathers we can look to Him for an example of what "Father" should look like.
To God be the glory.
The thing we are proud of and the things that bring us shame. They all affect who we are as we get older.
Then, you get married. Holy cow. Not only do you bring that baggage along for the journey, but, at least for me, I learned about a LOT of baggage I had that I didn't even know I had until I had another human doing life with me.
...then you have kids. And some more baggage comes out.
...then the kids grow up. And, if you are lucky, they all act like your spouse! :0) If not, however, then you have a younger version of yourself to help remind you of your childhood insecurities and regrets. (Maybe you are different and maybe they remind you about how awesome you were. If so, please don't tell me!)
There are fewer things that I want in life more than to be a good husband and father. I have failed at both of those things more than any other things in my life. I am going to argue that this is because I'm given WAY more opportunities to fail in these areas than in other areas. Yeah...let's go with that. :o)
Anyway, I have also succeeded at these things more than other things in my life too. It's a mixed bag. Why? Because I am too. I'm not perfect, but I'm not always broken either. But man to the "fail" days really hurt. There is real shame and frustration when my life choices hurt my family and I can say "I knew better and no I don't know why this happened anyway."
The great news for me and for any other struggling dad is this: we have someone we can look to for an example of the dad we want to be. Also, anyone who needs to be reminded of our Heavenly Father's love today; this is for you too!
Matt 6:26: God takes care of birds and we know that we are much more valuable to God than birds are.
Matt 18:12-14: Just like a shepherd, we know that if we stray or wander, God will work very hard to help bring us back into the fold.
Luke 6:35-36: reminds us that our Heavenly Father is merciful (not giving us the things that we deserve). Oh, and the verse commands us to also be merciful...
Matt 7:9-11: Earthly Fathers try to give good gifts to their kids even though we are messed up, so we can know that our Heavenly Father will be even more gracious to us as His children. (Not promising earthly treasure or wealth...just a Father who knows what is best for us and CAN do it without selfishness or pride [etc.] getting in the way.)
There are so many more. This is just 4 and I know there are a ton more and there are many more messages too. The point is simply this: we serve a God who can be an example to us of being more than our natural inclinations will make us. Especially as fathers we can look to Him for an example of what "Father" should look like.
To God be the glory.
