Next Sunday carries the commemorative date of Father’s Day here in Brazil (I’m a brazilian boy, if you didn’t know yet). Trying to think outside the bubble where I live and trying to take my thinking to various realities, I understand that my conception of parenting is totally different from many of you who are reading.
I confess I have never had problems with my father. The quarrels were always for something wrong I did or for my father in his love correcting me. I think my only difficulty was that my father was always very reserved and not of talking so much, but that isn’t a hard problem.
I have to work hard to understand that among my readers there are people who have different views on what it is to be a parent or what it means to each other. There are some who have never known their father, others who have never had a good relationship, others who miss, and still others who have never felt loved.
One thing, however, is an irrefutable fact. The presence or absence of a father has a major influence on the lives of children. God gives to the father authority to be the priest over the home. If this man, however, is not subject to Christ, the home does not have a good priest. And if this man is absent from his family, this house is left without a priest. Of course God can raise another family member to this end. But what I want to make clear here is that a good parent reference who is on a mission to be like Christ can transform the life of an entire family.
God is father
Another thing that many have difficulty understanding is the fatherhood of God. Usually, those with good references can do it. But someone who has had an aggressive or absent father tends to see God the same way.
To these people, I ask you to strive to understand that we have a totally misrepresented view of how things ought to be from the divine point of view.
The truth is that God is an infinitely loving father who offers comfort and rest to his children. And at the same time, he is a strict father who teaches his children by correcting them seriously. Being infinite in wisdom, there is a certainty that God never errs with his children and always calls them into a deep love relationship.
The parable of the prodigal son
Luke 15:20“So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
In the parable of the prodigal son we find one of the best definitions of what it is to be a good father. Even after sharing his inheritance and seeing his son sinking into trouble because of pride and desire for independence, in repentance, the father forgets every mistake and welcomes his son with open arms.
We must always see God in this way, not forgetting that He is also just to correct us and allow things to happen so that we learn more and evolve focusing on the stature of Jesus, who is the Perfect Man.
Practical Tips About Parents and Children
Col 3:20 “Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. (21) Parents, do not irritate your children, lest they be discouraged.
Knowing that we should love each other and surrender our lives to each other, we should strive to do this within our family. Children must obey the highest authority of the home. The Bible teaches us to be subject to the authorities, whatever they may be. Of course, everything must be weighed in the light of the Bible. But honor, respect, and obedience must be characteristic of children.
At the same time, we know that parents often tend not to see things the same way as their children. Some good intentions are sometimes turned into bad attitudes by the way they are conducted. For example, too much worry can result in an “overprotective” style and, as a result, make your child feel free. Things like this end up doing more harm than good. That is why it is important to mirror God as a father when instructing your child. So as not to provoke irritation in the children and to discourage them in a Christian walk.
I’m not a father (just a Border Collie dog named Luke), so I think I have very little authority to talk about it. But in the light of the Bible. From the good fatherly reference I believe I had and from my relationship with God as a father, I hope that all things written here will be of some use to all. Both parents and children.
God bless!
