Imagine a phone call from your child. As a parent, I’ve had a lot of these.
Here are 3 examples:
Dad, I really messed up. I went out after the game with some friends. We had some beers. As I was driving home I ran a light and hit another kid. I don’t know how he is. They took him in a helicopter. The car is totaled and they are putting me in a cruiser, they said I was DUI. Help me!
Dad, how are you? It’s Sunday and this is my weekly call. I’m fine and the kids are healthy. See you next week.
Dad, it’s been a wild week. We had a big problem at work. They told me to fix it……. and I did! They were so happy with me that I got a promotion and a raise. I want to thank you, because it was the things that you taught me and the example that you set that gave me the tools that I used to fix it. You’ve been a great father. Love ya’.
The relationship of a parent to his child is very much like the relationship between God and his children. This relationship is “written on our hearts”. When done well, the parent/child relationship is our best “window” into the heart of God.
Think of the 3 phone calls:
The first is a desperate cry for help. The second is a perfunctory “check the box” type call. The last is a call that didn’t have to be made. It is a grateful conversation between 2 friends.
Now….think of your conversations with God…….your prayers. We will all make call #1 and cry out in desperation from time to time. Unfortunately, many of us routinely make call #2…..a rote memorized prayer that requires no thought at all. For some of us, it is the only call we ever make. Call #3 is the real deal……a heartfelt conversation……it should be a daily thing. As a parent, imagine getting call #3. How great would that feel?
Think of these conversations from God’s side. He is going to field your desperate cry for help. He will listen to your mindless recitation and he’ll probably be just as bored with it as you are. But don’t you think he would love to hear from you when things are going great……..to hear a compliment and a thank you…….. to know that you value him and appreciate him………. his teaching, his example, and his leadership……….his gift of relationship?
God is not a sterile collection of rules, conditions, and punishments. He is your parent……….your Dad. He made you for one thing and one thing only……….relationship. We need to be sure that we are holding up our end.
I’m going to try to live my life as a grateful son……….to nurture and enjoy my relationship with my Dad.
I’m going to try to make call #3 a daily thing.