The Perfect Father

“Your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48)

Some of us had good loving fathers growing up.  Some of us did not.  I was blessed to have had a father who was my best friend, protector, and greatest hero.  The United States Navy was his career.  He taught me how to fish.  He taught me how to hunt, though I must confess I was not very good at that.  But most of all he taught me many of life’s lessons.  I remember as a little girl countless nights sitting at his feet with a big bowl of popcorn listening to his war stories from his time in the Pacific during World War II.  The attacks he experienced from the hands of the Japanese.  The lives and deaths of the men he served with.  The ports of call he spent time in.  Unfortunately, he passed away when I was only twelve years old, most likely as the result of an injury he incurred during the war.  But my memories of him are something no one can take away from me, and I am grateful for that.  Obviously, my father made an impression on me.

There is a father in the bible who also impresses me.  We are not given details about his childhood.  In fact, he seems to have had no birth, no past, no future or death – not even a name.  That is because he only existed in a famous parable in Luke chapter 15.  He didn’t even receive the headline or his name on the marque as the star of the parable.  No, this parable was about his son, not him.  Yet, we learn more about who God is through him than many of the prophets and writers of the bible.  That is because the father of the prodigal son exemplified God’s love in a beautiful way. 

He shows us how our Heavenly Father patiently waits for us.  He shows us how consistent God’s love is toward us.  He shows us how our God adores us totally and passionately.  He shows us what perfect, pure, unconditional, steadfast, and faithful love looks like from the One who created each of us.

Probably the best part of the story of the father of the prodigal son lies in the fact that the father never chased his son down.  He never left the farm to go look for him.  He never drew another human being into his patient pain and sorrow over the sin of his offspring.  No, this father waited with enduring patience for his son to return to the place where he belonged.

Is this not like our heavenly Father?  He doesn’t chastise us when we drift away.  He doesn’t come after us with a whip.  He waits patiently for us.  And waits and waits.  I will “celebrate” my spiritual birthday this July.  It will be the celebration of an amazing journey with Jesus Christ for the past fifty-four years, and I am so grateful that like the father of the prodigal my heavenly Father waited and watched for me to return to him. 

So, no matter what your earthly father was like.  No matter the relationship, or lack of relationship you had with him, you have a heavenly Father who has drawn you home to him because he loves you with a passion greater than any passion you have ever known.  A Father who waited and watched for you to return to Him.  This tells me that if we are in Christ, we have much to celebrate this Father’s Day.  So, rejoice and be glad!

                                                               Darlene