Blue-Fatherhood

Blue-

This is my first real blog so forgive any newb mistakes!  I've found myself needing an outlet for everything God is doing in and through me, and many men wiser than me have found it therapeutic to write, so I figured why not me!  As a self proclaiming math nerd I must admit this is a scary proposition!  I paid English majors to proof my Civ papers because...well...I could!  The results were always far better than if I had just gone with it!  So here you will find occasional thoughts and dilemmas, and even a rant here and there!  I hope you enjoy, and as always, feel free to express your views, and thoughts as they are always welcome!

The thought hit me like a ton of bricks!  I am soon to be a dad to another soul!  This guy right here currently has my heart, but my wife (Lindsey from here on out) and I were discussing the other day the likelihood of having a VERY different experience with the next little guy God is blessing us with!  Now, my son (Titus if you didn't know) is almost 2, and he has begun to push things.  Lindsey and I have always been united in our view of discipline.  This view seems to disturb many, especially several members of my family.  Even to the point that some members of my family have even requested that I revisit the idea of spanking my son.  Now hear me out:  I do not believe in beating any being for no apparent reason.  I DO believe that a varied, and appropriate response to certain behaviors must be taken.  I also acknowledge that different people respond differently to different disciplines.  I also believe (and teach and preach as often as people will listen) that positive reinforcement is just as vital an aspect of discipline as instilling repercussions for negative behavior and actions.  As a matter of fact I try to praise my son far MORE than I chastise him, as I want him to understand what behaviors and actions are appropriate, and encouraged more than I want him to constantly be pushing the boundaries to find out what he can get away with.

As I was revisiting this concept in my head, God (as He often does) tapped on my hearts door with a truth.  What would our churches, and our individual lives look like if we truly understood God's desire and discipline in our Relationship with Him.  I believe there is a very significant correlation, and a profound insight in God's choice to have us relate to Him as Abba Father.  Love is the motivation for discipline.  Wisdom is it's foundation.  God knows what lies down the road of both our positive AND our rebellious choices, and wants us to choose Him, because His desire if our ultimate good.  (Jeremiah 29:11)

I am reminded in my church, and in many of the churches I visit of some people I've come across in my life, whose rebellion has worn their parents down to the point that they just don't have the wherewithal to continue to attempt to direct their children in a manner that will keep them safe.  I feel for those parents, as they are not bad parents, they are not bad people, their kids are not even inherently "bad" they just don't listen.  In feeling sympathy for those parents my mind necessarily drifts back to Abba, Father.  How many of His children have responded the same way.  He speaks to them each day, each moment, and their response is normally: "whatever". 

You see I am attempting to raise my son in a manner that reflects my Abba, Father.  My earthly father did a great job of raising me amongst some horribly trying circumstances.  I thank Him for that, and I see His desire to honor God in how he raised me.  As I continue to grow and mature as a father, I want to reflect Jehovah in as many ways as possible.  So when I see my son approaching the Christmas tree with that look on his face that can only mean one thing, I am going to sternly warn him "don't touch that", I will praise him when he stops, and I will punish him when he breaks something.  I am thankful God continually disciplines me.  I hope I never get to the place where I "hear" my Father's voice, and ignore it to the point where He stops wasting His breath.  I think our homes, our lives, and our churches would look drastically different, if we understood what God is doing in our lives, in our hearts, and in His People from the perspective of a Loving Father.

Galatians 4:4-9

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. ⁶ Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” ⁷ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?