BEST FATHER

2 Corinthians 6:18

I will be to you as a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters”, says the Lord Almighty. (World English Bible)

As if salvation and eternal life are not enough, God actually wants to treat us like His children. Isn't His love just so great? So incomparable to anything? So awesome? So magnificent?

What does it mean to have God as our Father? Surely, all of us have fathers. How can we be born in this world without one, eh? I know there are certain people who neglect their duties as dads, but a real father does the following:

a. a Father PROVIDES

Just like how our dads provide for the family, God also provides for us. Meditating on what this means just makes us realize how rich we actually are. Imagine having the heaven as your source. #feelingrich, #IAmAPrincessMyDadIsAKing, feels eh?

b. a Father TEACHES

Remember that time when your dad taught you how to ride a bike? Or drive a car? Or cook? Or build something? Most of the time, it is our moms who do the teaching thing. They teach us how to write, how to walk, how to do house chores. However, our dads also teach us stuff. They may not always be available as they spend their time at work so they can provide for us, but we know that when we need to know something and our moms don't know how to do it, our dads do. This is also true with our Father in heaven. He teaches us how to live a holy life through the help of the Holy Spirit, which we received when we accepted Jesus as our Saviour. And if our parents are sometimes not available, we know that God is always available. And His teachings are the secrets in having a fulfilling and genuinely happy life.

c. a Father DISCIPLINES

Truth be told, when we think our moms are being too harsh with rules, we run to our dads to defend us and to allow us to have our own way. Then again, when dad is the one who's disciplining us for what we did or said or even thought about doing or saying, we know we have to listen, right? We know we have to always take them seriously when they rebuke us. In the same manner, God also disciplines us so that we can have a better life as we become better versions of ourselves. When we commit sins, God is just and forgiving. He does not keep records of our wrongdoings because His love covers all our sins. Still, He knows we have to be disciplined so we can have a better life. It is then best for us to welcome His discipline and just do His will, because that's actually our purpose – to do His will.

d. a Father LOVES

Out of all the duties of a father, this one, I think, is also a privilege. When you love someone, it doesn't just benefit the person, it also benefits you. Hence, if you have a loving dad who is faithful to his duties to you and to your family, you can only imagine how much more God will be loving and faithful, right? It's like having a good father here on earth, and having the best Father there in heaven; what more can you ask for? Nevertheless, as I've said in the beginning of this post, not all fathers do their duties. Not all of us are blessed to have a kind biological father. Still, even if that's the case, there's really no need to be sad. Instead, take comfort and contentment in having a real Father in heaven, who truly is (I said this before and I'll say it again and again and again) the BEST FATHER anyone can have.