Every Thursday on my way to work, I listen to local radio station 89.3. That station plays old country and bluegrass music. Outside of hard rock and heavy metal music, I enjoy fast moving bluegrass music. The virtuosity of the banjo, fiddle, and guitar is excellent. The lyrics tell good and amusing stories most of the time. There is also a lot of good gospel music played to a bluegrass rhythm. It's on from 7 am to 9 am every Thursday.
When I listen to any kind of music, it can bring back memories or you hear a lyric that makes you ponder. It doesn't have to be worship music to get you thinking about things. Why do I listen to Bluegrass (another style of music my wife wonders why I listen to)? My father enjoys the music so that's my exposure to it. Granted, I didn't like it when I was younger but have grown an appreciation for it as I have gotten older. There's also a bluegrass channel on XM radio, which my father likes. (OK that's two bluegrass station plugs in one blog).
We refer to God in heaven as our father, but what does that mean? I am sure it is a different answer for each person, primarily based on our relationship we have with our fathers. All of the good and bad interactions we have with our earthly fathers become superimposed on our image of God. This isn't to say children with bad relationships will have no faith in God and vice versa having a good relationship gives no guarantee in belief. But, our relationships with our fathers can color our picture of God as father. Let me tell you about my father.
First, let me say that I am not one to get overly emotional and say all sorts of mushy things. Even saying how I feel is a difficulty at times. My dad and I are similar in that we don't like to say our love but rather show it by our actions. I learned that from him, just as I am certain he learned from his father. It's not right or wrong, it is what it is.
Even though he didn't graduate from college, I have always considered my father to be one of the smartest people I know. He always seems to know stuff (or he claims to) and he has a way of knowing how to solve problems or lead you in the right direction. He has always been willing to lend a hand when you are in need. He might not show you how to do it, but he always got the job done. He worked hard at the steel mill - up early in the morning day in , day out without complaint. During the 1980's there was always threats of lay-offs, but if he was worried he never showed it to us kids. He still had time to help me practice baseball and show up to all of the little league games. I don't know how tired he must have been.
He was always supportive. He always wanted us to give our best effort - we might not always succeed, but he wanted us to try.
I also think he's a very strong man. He always seemed to keep it together and remain calm no matter the situation. When my grandfather was suffering from dementia, he was there for my grandmother helping her out. Spending time with his father even though it might have been killing him internally seeing his father like that. I don't know what his thoughts were, he tends to be private so I am merely speculating based on how I would have responded.
My dad isn't perfect, no man is. He'll even admit that. But, I respect and love the heck out of him (funny that I don't say that to his face). Growing up, I used to put undue pressure on myself to live up to be at his level. He had no expectations other than I give my best. Yet, I strove in my efforts to be like him and make him proud. One of my favorite moments was when I graduated college, that he mentioned that he was proud of me.
My father is not a church going man - I don't know what his faith is. I think he's a stronger believer than he thinks or lets on. He has served as a role model for me and my relationship with God. It has caused some issues in my walk of faith as I have said no man is perfect. But, my dad has added more to my faith and thoughts of God as father than he has taken away. I think of fathers as being strong, able to remain calm in times of trouble. One who can be relied upon and help you when it is needed. My father never expected me to be anything but myself and didn't need me to be something I wasn't. He showed God to me in ways I never expected and I'm sure he never intended. Granted, I have tried to live up to what I expected were God's "expectations" of me like I have with my father. I have failed miserably at that too.
That's my story. Our earthly fathers have a tremendous impact on our lives. If you were abandoned or mistreated by your father, you may look at God as someone who will abandon you at any time. Or, you may see God as one who waits for you to trip up and punish you. Maybe your father was absent in your life, and you feel God is the same way. Or, you had a solid relationship with your father. We all come up with an image of God as father and it is usually what our earthly fathers teach us.
This is not to diminish mothers' and other family members roles in our lives. That is just as important as development in our lives. But, today my thoughts are on God as father and what that means.
What does it mean for me? It means I have a good friend I can rely on for advice and help. A person I still observe and see how he handles situations. Sarcasm? I get that from my dad as well as a sense of humor. A role model for being a husband and father. My father may have his flaws, but all these years later he's still a hero to me. I continue striving to be the man he raised me to be.
When I listen to any kind of music, it can bring back memories or you hear a lyric that makes you ponder. It doesn't have to be worship music to get you thinking about things. Why do I listen to Bluegrass (another style of music my wife wonders why I listen to)? My father enjoys the music so that's my exposure to it. Granted, I didn't like it when I was younger but have grown an appreciation for it as I have gotten older. There's also a bluegrass channel on XM radio, which my father likes. (OK that's two bluegrass station plugs in one blog).
We refer to God in heaven as our father, but what does that mean? I am sure it is a different answer for each person, primarily based on our relationship we have with our fathers. All of the good and bad interactions we have with our earthly fathers become superimposed on our image of God. This isn't to say children with bad relationships will have no faith in God and vice versa having a good relationship gives no guarantee in belief. But, our relationships with our fathers can color our picture of God as father. Let me tell you about my father.
First, let me say that I am not one to get overly emotional and say all sorts of mushy things. Even saying how I feel is a difficulty at times. My dad and I are similar in that we don't like to say our love but rather show it by our actions. I learned that from him, just as I am certain he learned from his father. It's not right or wrong, it is what it is.
Even though he didn't graduate from college, I have always considered my father to be one of the smartest people I know. He always seems to know stuff (or he claims to) and he has a way of knowing how to solve problems or lead you in the right direction. He has always been willing to lend a hand when you are in need. He might not show you how to do it, but he always got the job done. He worked hard at the steel mill - up early in the morning day in , day out without complaint. During the 1980's there was always threats of lay-offs, but if he was worried he never showed it to us kids. He still had time to help me practice baseball and show up to all of the little league games. I don't know how tired he must have been.
He was always supportive. He always wanted us to give our best effort - we might not always succeed, but he wanted us to try.
I also think he's a very strong man. He always seemed to keep it together and remain calm no matter the situation. When my grandfather was suffering from dementia, he was there for my grandmother helping her out. Spending time with his father even though it might have been killing him internally seeing his father like that. I don't know what his thoughts were, he tends to be private so I am merely speculating based on how I would have responded.
My dad isn't perfect, no man is. He'll even admit that. But, I respect and love the heck out of him (funny that I don't say that to his face). Growing up, I used to put undue pressure on myself to live up to be at his level. He had no expectations other than I give my best. Yet, I strove in my efforts to be like him and make him proud. One of my favorite moments was when I graduated college, that he mentioned that he was proud of me.
My father is not a church going man - I don't know what his faith is. I think he's a stronger believer than he thinks or lets on. He has served as a role model for me and my relationship with God. It has caused some issues in my walk of faith as I have said no man is perfect. But, my dad has added more to my faith and thoughts of God as father than he has taken away. I think of fathers as being strong, able to remain calm in times of trouble. One who can be relied upon and help you when it is needed. My father never expected me to be anything but myself and didn't need me to be something I wasn't. He showed God to me in ways I never expected and I'm sure he never intended. Granted, I have tried to live up to what I expected were God's "expectations" of me like I have with my father. I have failed miserably at that too.
That's my story. Our earthly fathers have a tremendous impact on our lives. If you were abandoned or mistreated by your father, you may look at God as someone who will abandon you at any time. Or, you may see God as one who waits for you to trip up and punish you. Maybe your father was absent in your life, and you feel God is the same way. Or, you had a solid relationship with your father. We all come up with an image of God as father and it is usually what our earthly fathers teach us.
This is not to diminish mothers' and other family members roles in our lives. That is just as important as development in our lives. But, today my thoughts are on God as father and what that means.
What does it mean for me? It means I have a good friend I can rely on for advice and help. A person I still observe and see how he handles situations. Sarcasm? I get that from my dad as well as a sense of humor. A role model for being a husband and father. My father may have his flaws, but all these years later he's still a hero to me. I continue striving to be the man he raised me to be.
Comments
Post a Comment