A Perfect Father

Our small group from church–we call them LIFE groups–of fourteen sat around the table, our meal finished. Jim, our leader, asked each person to describe something positive about their fathers. One man described his dad this way: “I was about four years old,” he said. “My dad was a weight lifter. One time–probably because there’s a photo of it–I remember my father placed my feet on the palms of his hands. I stood on his hands like a stairway and as he moved his hands up, and I stepped up too, as far as he could reach.” he paused and then declared, “I could completely trust him!” Others shared stories of their dads. Most were tender remembrances. Of course we could have also described where our fathers had failed us in some way.

Some of you don’t have good memories of your father. At another LIFE group and another time we described our fathers. One said, “I can’t think of anything good to say about my father except his name.” A sad, yet I believe her true description.

Perhaps you can’t even describe your dad because you never knew him. He was not in your life because of death or he was detached–by his own will or circumstances you don’t understand.

I have many positive memories about my own father who has been gone for twenty-five years now. He was not perfect. My dad was part of the “greatest generation.” A hard worker–often worked more than one job–to provide for our family. Though not perfect, I knew he loved me. Yet, I don’t remember ever hearing him say “I love you” when I was young. No memories of hugs and kisses. It was only after I became an adult, that my father became more affectionate and would fiercely hug me and tell me that he loved me and was proud of me.

I’m sitting on my father’s lap

Although we have imperfect fathers, we have a Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally and is perfect. When Jesus came to earth as a human, yet God, he described his father this way:

For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God (John 17:27 NET). Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me (John 14:6 NLT). For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will (John 6:38 NLT).

Our heavenly Father is the head of the Trinity. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Although each person in the trinity is equal, God the Father is the head of the trinity. This has been true for eternity. I can’t explain it any more than what Jesus described above. As I heard the description of the weight-lifting-father as one the young boy could trust, we can trust our Heavenly Father to be that perfect One. He is the true source: For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen (Romans 11:36 NLT).

I hope you have good memories of your father. Yet, more than that, you have a Heavenly Father who is perfect. You have access to this perfect One through Jesus Christ. Take the time today to read John 17, where Jesus prays to his Father God. We have a glimpse of what their relationship was like and how much God loves us!

I’ll close with this song based on Proverbs 20:7: The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.

You may not have had a father like the one described in the song, but you do have One in heaven you can trust.

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