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How Do You Talk To Your Dad?
Psalm 145: 8-21 came up in a small group discussion recently. I see these verses as describing a perfect parent. Our Heavenly Father, who IS a perfect parent. Which got me to thinking about how I talk to God when I pray…do I talk to him like he truly is my Dad? Sadly, my answer is most of time…not. Ouch. So I got to thinking about my earthly Father. How good is my relationship and communication with him? My answer to that is: GOOD! I have a good relationship with my earthly Dad. We weren’t always close, but are now and talk quite frequently. Ahhhh, frequently….why isn’t that everyday? Hmmm. I could talk to him everyday….he is just a phone call away. So why don’t I ? I don’t know. I’m certain that my relationship with my Earthly Father directly reflects my relationship with my Heavenly Father. It is good and we talk frequently. AHHH!!! There is that word "frequently" again. That needs to be "everyday." Since I had that revelation…I find my prayer life…conversations with my Heavenly Father…is more fulfilling. He is the perfect Dad after all. So it’s high time I crawl up on his lap and talk to him like he is! My Earthly Father is currently here for an extended visit..I have a feeling our conversations will be more fulfilling while he is here….and from now on . So, how do you talk to your Dad?
Jon, thanks. Your dad seems like a “good ol’ guy.”
My dad built relationships with all his children, not so much by talking but by including us in his daily life and work as much as possible. He drove a bus for a living: I rode with him. He worked on cars. He taught me how to rebuild brake systems and carburetors. He built TVs and radios for fun: He taught me how to solder. I remember his legs sticking out from under every car we ever owned, plus those of friends. I don’t remember profound moments or conversations. His most memorable words to me in my childhood were “Push the brake pedal to the floor!”
I remember he and my mom took us to church every Sunday. They read the Bible every day. And they prayed with us every night until we were teenagers. They both taught us honor and integrity. My dad especially was a lesson in humility and kindness.
Later on after Mom passed away and his health forced him into dependence, Dad called our house his “vacation” and we finally had time to talk. Again, the conversations were hardly profound; it was just time spent together.
I think that is what my DAD in Heaven wants. A relationship that is familiar,close,daily, and engaged in the the work He has to do, with me included.
Thanks Jon. This passage strikes close to home for me too.
My dad, like Bill’s was/is more of a doer than a talker. He is a good man. But his weakest skill is his ability to communicate matters of the heart. As a result, I have spent most of my life trying to learn the Daddy heart of God without the help of an earthly father role model. It’s an uphill battle.
If I had to prescribe just one thing in this world to heal the woundedness of mankind it would be, get to know God as Dad. And if there was a second challenge it would be for earthly fathers to excel at fatherhood. The ability of our children to connect to God the Father depends on it.