Rev. Dr. Lakeya Stewart
Some people cringe at the thought of Father’s Day. Perhaps they did not get a chance to meet their father, they had bad experiences with their father, or perhaps a married man has not had the chance to be a father yet. I was privileged to have my father in my life along with my Uncle Ted. These men showed me how special a father’s love could be.
Ephesians 6: 1 states, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” Children have a responsibility to obey their parents just as parents have the responsibility to love their children. In today’s society, many people are mis-informed as to what love is. Love does not mean a parent should buy their children the latest pair of shoes or the newest cell phone. Love is not defined by material possessions. In the same way, our Heavenly Father’s love cannot be earned and is not deserved.
Sometimes I sit back and watch my husband interact with our children. There is something that lights up inside of me as I think about the special relationship that my husband Daniel has with the kids. When there is a “boogie monster” in the closet or under the bed, the children run to my husband for protection. I must admit that I feed into this with the children. I think it is because I do see my husband as a protector. He cares for all of us in loving ways that I cannot deny. What a privilege it is to watch my husband’s love for his family grow as the years go by. In the same way, our Heavenly Father is prepared to protect us, because He loves us.
You know, as I reflect on my husband’s love, I am reminded of the love of our Heavenly Father. There are times that the children fail to complete a task that daddy has set forth. Daniel will correct the children with love, yet encourage them to get back on track to follow through with the task. In this same way, I see our Heavenly father correcting many of us and guiding us through life’s struggles.
Correction from our Heavenly Father comes in many forms. Sometimes it comes through a sermon and we are deeply moved to make life changes as a result of hearing God’s Word. Other times it comes through a difficult lesson like losing a home due to foreclosure if we have made bad financial decisions. However, the correction comes, our Heavenly Father does not mean us bad when He corrects us.
A Father’s love is like none other. It cannot be properly measured as it extends beyond words. Perhaps you did not have a father in your life, but you were fortunate to have had a father or father figure in your life and they are still living. Take the time to thank them. A Father’s love, especially that of our Heavenly Father runs deep. My prayer is that you experience that love. Amen.