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Thanks, Dad

I just started working on a message for the upcoming Father's Day. The scriptures are filled with so many good places to draw from, but like many, I keep finding myself coming back to the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. A familiar story that is titled after the son who departs and returns with his head hung low, this story is more about the incredible love of his father. It is hard to place this story in modern day terms or terms that I can personally relate to, but I can relate to the love of a father that does not fail.

My father, a wonderful, Godly man, has been more than just my father over the past thirty years. He has been my teacher, my listening ear, my friend, and my helper. Even when I fell into my own personal abyss of self-condemnation, my father stood by my side and loved and supported me. Looking back, I see the importance of letting me fall when I needed to fall and then picking me up when I needed to be picked up. My father saw my failures, helped me to see my failures, and then taught me and helped me to move on and ahead in my life. Most importantly, he loved me.

Today's fathers have been diminished to laughable characters on the television; they are ridiculed by their children, mocked by their wives, humiliated by women, and portrayed as being inferior. God did not create man or woman to endure such things, yet we have allowed it to happen to both, most disturbingly, our fathers. Sure, I can poke fun with my dad, give him a tease now and then, but when it's all said and done, there is no one's advice I cherish more, no man's wisdom I desire more, than that of my father. He has been and continues to be the spiritual head of his home and sets a fantastic example for his children and those around him. He carries a burden for the lives of his children, but rests on the promise that God is in control. Most importantly, he loves us.

Growing up in my house involved discipline. Today, discipline has been diminished to confiscation of home gaming systems and loss of privileges. While these techniques are effective, my father found the hand-picked switch from the tree to be the most effective and memorable. I have not-so-fond memories of departing the front door on the hunt for my switch of choice, knowing full well that a proper selection would ensure a better response from my father. We are on the doorstep of this becoming a crime in today's society, and what a shame it is. The scripture says in the book of Numbers that our Heavenly Father is slow to anger and abounding in love for His children, yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished. My father did not react in anger toward us children, but reacted in love that acted in an effort to teach and train us. Dad may have taken to my backside with a belt or a specially chosen tree branch, but, most importantly, he loved me.

The son I wrote of earlier did many horrible things. He disrespected his father, deserted his family, squandered his money and inheritance, gloried in a life of idolatry and sin. But, his father, with full abandon, welcomed his son back despite all that he had done. His son, with head hung low, returned to his father and begged for forgiveness. His father, most importantly, loved him.

I am so thankful for a Dad that has always prayed for me, supported me, helped me, and taught me. He has disciplined me, encouraged me, rebuked me, and pushed me. Most importantly, he has loved me.

I am so thankful for a Heavenly father that has always listened to my prayers, supported me even when I wasn't looking, helped me when I failed to ask for help, and taught me when I refused to learn. He has allowed me to suffer pain and then restored me, breathed His Words into my ear to lift me up and to bring me back to earth, and called me to do His work by His strength. Most important, He has loved me.

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