This picture is of my pastor and his son on vacation. I'm grateful to have a pastor who preaches God's Word with conviction and honesty. His messages of holiness are right on target.
This picture reminds me of events I did with my own children. One of the greatest things of being a father is having the opportunity to provide for your children. Another is to watch them enjoy what you provide. And another is watching them discover things/ideas/events for the first time.
I will always cherish the times when, we as a family, took trips together. We have taken trips outside the United States and countless trips around the United States. It was terrific experiencing different cultures, people and places together.
We were fortunate enough to be able to home school our boys and watch them learn. It was great to see the light come on and observe them understanding concepts that were new for them.
I cried with joy at the birth of my sons.
I enjoyed holding them and watching them sleep.
I love being a father.
There were also times of disappointment and sadness that are a natural part of living in a fallen world.
Why this post?
Children teach us so much about our relationship with God. Karyn and I loved each other so much that we wanted to share that love with someone, so having children is a natural outgrowth of our love for each other.
That's why God created us. He is in perfect union within Himself and wanted to invite us into this union. He wanted to share His love with us.
God rejoices when we are born and again when we are reborn.
God, the Perfect Father, enjoys watching us discover things. He likes watching us enjoy what He has provided. He enjoys teaching us and watching us learn. He enjoys watching us while we sleep.
God takes delight in us.
These things that God does for me didn't have as much meaning until I became a father. Then, God took on another whole dimension. Having children expanded my love for and appreciation and understanding of God.
I think that was God's intention. I think that was why He created family. Being a child and being a parent offer a greater understanding of our Heavenly Father.
He also created family to take in those who don't have family into our families and into God's kingdom. Let's not forget those who are orphaned/abandoned/widowed/feel left out.
God loves us.
God wants us to love.
God wants us to love Him.
BE HOLY.
BE A MAN.