This year as Father’s Day approaches I am so aware of the attack on the family, on the role of Fathers, and disengagement and disrespect placed on family in society.
It’s complicated by personal stories within family units which may portray completely different experiences. Adult siblings from the same family may grow up with such entirely different perspectives of their familial relationships that one would think they grew up in separate homes. As if they had unrelated parental upbringing. Reactions, feelings, and memories contrast.
I’ve been reading Paul’s words. His writings about unmerited favor and Sovereignty always blow my mind. I’ve been chewing on what he has to say in the light of God’s choosing me. And it’s prompted me to think how the Heavenly Father chose me and in what family He placed me.
I am also aware of how very much I have to be grateful for that many others do not.
Paul wrestles with this very thing when he considers how God distinguished between Jew and Gentile. In Romans 9 he grapples with why did some get all the privileges of the law, patriarchs and covenants while others grew up unknowing pagans? How could God be fair in His dealings? How could He put one nation into one family and another into a different one?
He lays down the foundation upon which many uncomfortable debates fire up.
“Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means.” Romans 9:14 ESV
With that off the table, questions can be asked. Human reasoning can be confessed. Whether or not we understand it, God’s unfathomable Sovereignty must be accepted. His justice holds without compromise. His righteousness remains steadfast.
The whole fairness and unfairness of our experiences, the homes we grew up in or the fathers who raised us, lives with us. It becomes at times a faulty foundation, one upon which we may struggle like an uncomfortable child who desperately wants out of confining arms.Yet, God is just.
He is a Heavenly Father who is kind, merciful and Sovereign in all His choosing. As He demonstrated in setting apart the Jewish nation to ultimately be the chosen one to bring the Messiah through no virtue of their own.
God the Father is Father to the Fatherless. He is merciful and just in all He does. He parents in perfect love.
God’s reasons for placing us under the authority of an imperfect earthly father has divine purpose for us in much the same way.
”And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.” Acts 17:26-27 ESV
He does not make mistakes.
He is precise.
He knows what He is doing.
He designs our placing to spur us to seek Him.
This Father’s Day, I am grateful for the kindness of my Heavenly Father in the earthly home He gave me. It was in my home I learned I needed a Savior. I heard Scripture read. My dad prayed for me. These things a Sovereign Father chose for me.
I would be remiss not to respect and show gratitude for the dad God gave me. I am blessed to miss him dearly and look forward to seeing him again with Jesus.
I praise my Heavenly Father for my husband, the father of my children. He has carried on godly instruction, Bible reading and prayer. I honor him for passing faith to another generation. I thank him for being a faithful follower of Jesus, caring Dad, and loving husband.
I celebrate the son and son-in-laws Jesus has blessed me with to be fathers to my grandchildren. This is also the work of a merciful Father. I praise God for the wonderful examples you are to the next generation.
You, dear reader, may be first in line to pass down the truth of Jesus. What a privilege you have and what a commission. May you father in His image.
I applaud the Dads who put on the armor of Christ daily to slay the dragons the world hurls at our children. Never give up.
The way in which we honor and respect our earthly fathers ultimately reflects our view of God’s parenting of us. For it is the unmerited favor of God and His mercy as our true Heavenly Father, upon which we stand.
That Christ should choose us to call Him “Abba,” Father is pure mercy. And yet He does. Oh how much He loves.
Marilyn Krehbiel
Soo am blessed by your reminders of how PERFECT our LORD is everything he does, such as places us in the families HE controls. Blessings on your days, dear friend!!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Marilyn! I found these thoughts from the Bible a comfort in many ways. I hope you have a wonderful day as you honor the fathers in your family!
J.D. Wininger
Great thoughts to consider this morning Ms. Sylvia. Thank you ma’am; and Happy Father’s Day to Mr. Phil.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks J. D. I hope your Father’s Day is special as well as you are reminded of our perfect Heavenly Father.
Jeannie Waters
Sylvia, thank you for affirming the qualities of God we can trust, like His justice. We know He is just because His Word declares that truth. Your post helps us remember circumstances don’t change who God is.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you for that statement. Circumstances don’t change who God is. That sums it up doesn’t it?! I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. It’s always an encouragement.
Katherine Pasour
Such a wonderful tribute to your family and a beautiful reminder of how to be a parent to our children, based on the loving example of our heavenly Father. Thanks for sharing this blessing.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Katherine for dropping by and encouraging me by it!
Jennifer
I had the most amazing dad. Because of the love he showed me I have never doubted the love my Heavenly Father has for me.
Sylvia Schroeder
Jennifer, I’m so glad your dad was such a steadfast blessing in your life. That’s a wonderful testimony and reflects God’s character. I appreciate you taking the time to read and love your encouraging comment!
Annie Yorty
Sylvia, I, too, am so grateful for my heavenly Father. And I am thankful for how He used my earthly placement to show me the need for a heavenly home with Him.
Nancy E. Head
I’m thankful to our Heavenly Father for giving our family my dad who set a great example of what it is to be a good man for my kids. Great post, Sylvia. Thanks and God bless!
Sylvia A Schroeder
Nancy, what a blessing to have fathers who were examples that pointed to our Heavenly Father. Thank you so much for your comments.
Sylvia A Schroeder
Thank you for affirming His Sovereignty in placing you where He ultimately showed you Himself and your need of Him. God is such a loving and caring Father. I appreciate you reading and love your response!
Linda Brucato
My parents were divorced when I was young, and then I got an alcoholic stepdad, but my Heavenly Father was seeking me and I found Him when I was 14 and then had the joy of leading my dad and his wife to Christ! Now I have the joy of watching 3 of our sons lead their families to Him! All grace and mercy!!!
Barbara Latta
Great thoughts on this passage of scripture, Nancy. No matter what we understand or don’t understand, we know God is just as much as He is merciful. Thanks for sharing.