Ever wondered about how we see God as a father? I can imagine that for some people this is a very strange request. The school where I teach has an enormous amount of dis-functional families, many with one-parent, but equally as many whose parents are remarried or seperated. I wonder how those children see the image of God the father. I know of fathers who have rejected their children, ignored their children, insulted their children, openly declared hate for their children and, even, abused their children. But equally I know of fathers who love their children, cherish their children, who would give their lives for their children, even though the law says they can't see their children. I wonder how those children feel. I wonder what they think when they're told about father God.
My own experience of an earthly father is a mixed one, but not as tragic as some of the children I teach. My father left us when I was too young to remember him. I never knew him and never will. Do I feel angry about that? Not really. Do I feel rejected? Of course - I would be lying if I said otherwise. Am I sad that I never met him? A little. He died last year and my brother and I were asked if we wanted to go to the funeral. Do you know what question crossed both of our minds? What did he die from? We were more interested in our potential medical history. Doctors always ask that question. Is their any history of 'such and such' in the family. Sometimes I get tired of saying I don't know sometimes I just say no. What difference does it really make anyway. So my 'real' dad was never on the scene. One day I found out that I was adopted by the man I called dad. I carry his name not the name of my paternal father. I wonder how it sounds sometimes - Steve Poole. I wonder if he ever loved me. I wonder if he loved his new family. I wonder how my mum felt when he left her and two young children.
Mum eventually remarried to a man called Gerald. I worshipped him. He was strong, confident, popular, everything I wanted to be. He worked hard for us, provided a home for us, discilplined us and taught us right from wrong. We moved from Stoke to his home town of Cheadle and I felt isolated. I had so many friends in Abbey Hulton. But children are children and we adapted. They created a home for us. Sometimes it felt like the home was more important than us, but it ended up being a beautiful home, until it was finished. About ten years it took to renovate, bit by bit and when it was nearly done the man I worshipped walked out on us for a younger woman. A younger woman who he had a child with. Can a man only be a father to a child that shares his genes? He seemed to be doing a pretty good job with us for a while.
So I have personally ever had a problem with the image of God as a father? I can honestly say never. I suppose I had enough experience of a father. So when I call on father God I call on all the best things I know about a father. I know what a good father should be and do. I know my father God loves me first and foremost. I know he loves me enough to discipline me when I step out of line, which I often do, even if it hurts. I know he will protect me when the going gets too tough. I know he will never leave me. I know he will always give me good things, but not things that I think are good for me, things that actually ARE good for me.
So what about the view that the image of father God doesn't belong in todays world? I would say that it does. Because this world needs a father who loves, cherishes, cares for, disciplines and never lets his children down. Every man dreams of being the ideal father. God is that ideal father. He's even bought us a house. Ok that's a bit flippant, but it's true. He loves us so much that he has prepared a place for us to share with him. If I sound like I'm preaching I don't appologise. I want to share my father God with everyone who may read this. I want to tell you that if your experience of a father has been nothing but bad, then God can teach what a father should really be. The best part of it is, that father God is always waiting for us to come home no matter what we've done. He's always ready to forgive our mistakes. Sounds too good to be tue doesn't it? So why not try it and see for yourself.