I am blessed with wonderful children. Some days I think I am a great dad. Other days, I’m okay. And then there are days when I am simply lousy.
Sometimes my children need things, and I can provide for them quickly. Sometimes I can figure it out before they ask. Other times, I get lucky and guess the very thing they need. Most times, I have no clue. I do my best to give them what they need, but I often fall short (according to their standards at least).
This morning my son needed something. I didn’t know what. I could not motivate him to get going or to get dressed. Nothing was right. His clothes did not fit, his shoes, hurt his feet, he did not want anything to eat. He probably needed compassion at that moment, but I had none to give. I was pretty lousy in showing love and compassion. I wanted him to wipe off his tears, deal with it and get going. He couldn’t.
After I dropped him off at school, I was pretty hard on myself about being a dad. When my shortcomings were about to wipe me out, I was reminded that I have a perfect Father. My son has a perfect Father who knows exactly what we need.
Jesus tells us, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. (Matthew 6:31-32)”
We have a Father who knows what we need and when we need it. We do not have to worry about things in this life. He have a God who knows what we need and desires to give us those things.
I know I am going to miss the mark again for my son. I am going to let him down. I am going to discipline him when I should have shown him grace. I am going to let him get away with things that he should not get away with. I am going to fail him and disappoint him.
But, in the midst of all of this, I am going to do my best to point him to the Father that will never disappoint him. The one who will never fail him.The one who will never leave him or forsake him. The one that will give him exactly what he needs when he needs it.
Today, I urge you to trust in the Father who knows exactly what you need and desires to give it to you.
mark t. collins 