The Portrait of a Loving Father

“I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.”
-Sigmund Freud.

We live in a society that celebrates moms more than dads. The story behind this phenomenon is huge and self evicting. Mother’s Day is the second most celebrated event next to Thanksgiving. As a matter of fact, Mom’s Day is every day. God, the Father, is the creator of all mankind while our earthly fathers through production plant the seeds and our moms, seed carriers. Every child has a man who planted the seed that developed into a human being. There is something in every child that only the father gives. That’s why a child can say “my father lives in me,” (John 14:11). Jesus said, “if you know me, you have known my father,” (vs. 7). Yet some like Phillip still ask, “Lord, show us the Father. That’s all we need,” (John 14:8). An earthly father obtains his father-hood portrait from God, the Father.

Jesus told a story in Luke 15, verses 11ff, about the Portrait of a Loving Father; some call it “prodigal father” while it is popularly known as “prodigal son”. Indeed, the word “prodigal” does not mean rebellious, but rather lavishly generous. This son took his portion of his father’s inheritance and engaged in wild living in a far away country. He squandered all his wealth with flicks and strange women and life became so difficult with him that he had nothing to eat. He shared food with pigs and got to the bottom of earth’s frustration. He came to his senses and returned to his father with a message, “I have sinned against heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy being your son, and just accept me as one of your servants” (vs. 18-19). The father’s love is exhibited in that his father did not hesitate to give him a portion of his inheritance even when he was a minor. Even when the son was away, the father was praying and expecting his son returned someday and was looking for-ward to have him back. When the son was far off, his father sighted him and ran after him, hugged him and kissed him. The father was more concerned with finding his lost son than the wealth he squandered. He ordered his servants to: i) hurry, ii) bring the best robes and clothe him, iii) put on him the prince’s ring and sandals, iv) get the best calf and prepare a feast, and v) to eat and merrily celebrate (Luke 15:22-23).

The son came to his senses through suffering and realized he had a loving father who could not reject his own blood-son. A son who was lost and found is still a beloved son and is worth more than a servant. His father was a wealthy man and prominent; he paid his servants good wages and they enjoyed better benefits and allowances. He realized his father gave him what be-longed to him. He did not steal it; it was a gift. His gift was unconditional. He had no reservation in giving the son what already belonged to him. A child has right over his father’s inheritance (Proverb 13:22). A covenant relationship that the father has with his son cannot be bro-ken by mistakes or failures of his child; therein lies the difference between relationship and fellowship. You can temporarily lose your way or fellowship, but cannot lose your relationship. You may fail or lose what you have, but you cannot lose what God has for you. You may bankrupt yourself, but can never bankrupt God. You can lose your love for yourself, your relations, and for God, but you can never stop God from loving you. A father’s heart is a compassionate one. That the son went astray and ran away with his father’s assigned wealth did not stop the father from loving him. The same is true in our relationship with God. “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities….Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities them that fear Him” (Psalm 103:10,13).

A loving father has the some obligations and responsibilities towards his family: i). He provides for his household: As the head and master of the house, the father is answerable to God for the well being of his family. He must work hard to provide for the family and servants; failure to fulfill this duty is synonymous to denial of faith and more so worst than an infidel (1 Tim. 5:8). ii). He provides inheritance for his children: A good man leaves an inheritance to his children (Prov. 13:22). This inheritance include physical and spiritual. A good man fears the Lord and delights in His commands. His children will be mighty in the land. Wealth and riches are in his house. He is generous and conducts his affairs with justice. His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord (Psalm 112). iii). He recognizes and allows his son the right to choose his path: God created us with a free thinking ability to make choices. Most times, parents find it difficult to allow their children the freedom to make their own choices. You have to groom and guide your children and then allow them to choose their path. Even if they make wrong choices, they learn from it, pay the price and hopefully it will bring them to their senses. Give your children opportunities to make affordable mistakes; provide empathy and hold them accountable. iv). Be the priest and intercede for the family: Fathers must lead in worship and give their children guidance; pass knowledge and experiences to their children. They must intercede for the family. v). Fathers must show compassion and tough love to their children.
Evaluate yourself: Are you a loving father? Do you carry out your responsibilities to your family? “Fathers do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). On the other hand, children honor your father and mother – which is the first commandment with a promise – that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on earth; your children may watch and do same for you (vs.3).

Reach: Evangelist Ogbonnaya, Godswill at weefre-eministries@yahoo.com or P.O.Box 720035, Hous-ton, 77272; Web: www.weefreeministries@org. Ph. (832)-881-3929©.