Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
With Father’s Day approaching, I am reminded of three relational aspects of this familial holiday for which I am very grateful. First, I am thankful for my dad—particularly for the time that I was able to spend with him prior to his sudden and unexpected death in 1996. My dad became a Christian six months into his marriage, but he did not notably grow in his faith until his latter years when his heart was broken over the self-destructive, addictive behavior my oldest brother (who died at age of 41). This began a new season of healing and restoration for both of us. We were able to support each other and grow closer to Christ through the grieving process.
Secondly, I am thankful for the opportunity to be a dad. While I am still learning what it means to be a godly father and the spiritual leader of our house, I am confident that the Holy Spirit has and will continue to shore up my shortcomings with his grace. Why? Because it’s not about being a perfect dad. It’s about putting my trust in the one who is a perfect father. That being said, I am most thankful for our heavenly Father who loves us so much that he sent his only begotten Son into our world to die for us so that we might be forgiven for all of our sins and given new and eternal life in him (John 3:16)—what an incredible act of loving sacrifice! Indeed, it is a beautiful love story of a Father and his Son who are of one heart and mind (John 17:1-11) in their relentless pursuit of you and me so that we might become one with them (John 17:12-26). And this is our assurance: that he who began this good work of developing the heart of a Father in us will see it through to completion (Philippians 1:6).
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