Hey Dad, how are you doing? Whether in the midst of newborn craziness, starting a new school year or dropping a child off at college, the fathering journey calls for intentionality to strengthen relationship through every season, every step of the way. Easier said than done when other responsibilities demand attention.
The line in the movie Field of Dreams, “Dad, want to have a catch?” was a moment of reconciliation between a son that passed judgment on his dad and the dad that tried to live his dream through his son. Things got said, years passed and the father-child relationship was strained. Just like a physical wound, if gone untreated it festers. Dads must be intentional to reconcile when words and actions wound a child.
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.” For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:14-16. Jesus’ journey – virgin birth, sinless life, obedience to His Father to the point of death, even death on a cross, His resurrection and ascension, were all in stark contrast to Adam’s disobedience in the garden, Israel’s disobedience in the wilderness and our disobedience today. Through His Son, the Father gave man an opportunity for redemption and opened the door for reconciliation in relationship with Him. As dads today, the job is to keep the door open at all times for reconciliation. It may involve a time when the line of anger was crossed while exacting discipline. Seeking forgiveness for the lack of self-discipline immediately with the child will show humility and intentionality in the father-child relationship. Dads and kids are not always going to be on the same page when it comes to strengths, interests and discipline. But it is a dad’s responsibility to make sure they stay in the same book, the Bible. Intentionality to lead the family in Christ will keep small things, small things. “If you really know Me, you will know My Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.” – John 14:7. As dads lead intentionally to strengthen the father-child relationship and reconcile as needed, kids will know Jesus and His Father because they know their father. And they will stay in the faith as adults.
There are grown men, as portrayed by Ray Kinsella in Field of Dreams, that have open wounds from an irreconciled past. If that is you, set up a meeting with your dad to thank him for his role in raising you and discuss what needs to be reconciled. Seek forgiveness for your part in the issue and be prepared to grant forgiveness if he goes there. Our Father gave His Son to reconcile relationship with us. In response, our role is to not let wounds of irreconciliation in this world fester.
Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for Your word and Your Son. I confess my prideful nature has kept me from reconciling relationships as I need to. Forgive me. Grant me clarity in Your word and strength in relationship with You to reconcile as needed to keep the father-child relationship strong. That is the dad You call me to be and that is the dad my kids need to see. Amen.
A faithful father reconciles as needed to keep relationships strong.
