March 14

Even though it is God’s love that is ultimately most important in anyone’s life, a parent’s love (or lack thereof) is perceived and felt first.  Parental love is the first love a child experiences and the first love he/she understands.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

An article in the Full Life Study Bible on Parents and Children says that "The very core of Christian nurture is this:  The heart of the father must be turned to the heart of the child in order to bring the heart of the child to the heart of the Savior."  Commentary on Luke 1:17 says, "One of the greatest sins of God's OT people had been the failure of the father to love their sons and daughter enough to teach them the ways and commands of God."  Since many relationships with the Heavenly Father closely correlate with the relationship we have with our earthly father; it is imperative that children experience love, from their father as much as, if not more than their mothers.  For example, a young man whose earthly father was a great provider, will not have an issue believing that God is Jehovah Jireh.  While the young woman whose father was not a part of her life, will most likely have trust issues and struggle initially with "I will never leave you nor forsake you".  

When I take my son to his bus stop in the mornings, there' s a young father there with his daughter.  Some days he's holding her in his arms, sneaking kisses before she gets on her bus.  Some days he watches closely as she walks around the grass and he makes sure to caution her if she gets too close to the curb.  Today they must have been running a little late because as the bus was approaching the bus stop; they were still coming down the street.  What struck me was that this young man was not walking and dragging his daughter to keep up, but he was carrying her.  It was brisk out this morning and he wore a thin hoodie, but his daughter's face was buried in his chest protected from the cold as he walked with haste and determination to get her to her destination.  I can't help but believe, that one day when she gets older and she needs to feel protection or to be carried; relying on God will be easy because she experienced it in the natural from her father.

Dear Lord, as deep as a mother's love is; it cannot and should not take the place of a father's love.  Our children need the strength, security, direction and discipline from a father.  They need to experience tender moments as well as tough love.  Our sons need fathers to teach them how to tie a tie and change a flat tire.  Our daughters need fathers to open doors for them and send them flowers, dance with them and discern the wolves for them.  Help us to always look to You Father so that we'll know how to love Your children and they will experience Your love all the days of their lives.  In Jesus name, Amen!