Last week a good friend reminded me that his oldest child was born in 1982. The highlight of the year for parents is the birth of a child. Maybe huge world events took place in 1986; maybe important people died; maybe key elections were held… but in 1986 our son, Taylor, was born. Because his lungs were not fully developed, Taylor spent thirteen days in the intensive care unit. Susan and I felt so helpless as he was hooked up to a respirator. We prayed and cried as we rode the roller coaster of good reports and bad reports, but finally Taylor was proclaimed healthy enough to come home… and life has never been the same.
How many lessons does God teach us through our children? I’m sure I knew something about love before kids, but such familiar verses as John 3:16 exploded with new meaning after Taylor was born. “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” What kind of love motivates a Father to sacrifice his only Son for people who don’t deserve it? Familiar stories like the one of Abraham and Isaac forced me to consider what faith in God really means. What kind of trust and obedience leads a father to put his only son on an altar?
For a little more than twenty-five years we’ve watched a little boy grow up. I’ve tried to teach him the things a father should. I’ve let him learn from my mistakes and I’ve encouraged him through some of his own. I’ve often marveled at the faith of our children and I’ve marveled even more at the numerous times God has revealed himself to them. He loves our children more than we do, so in a way, we as parents are simply participating with God as He molds our kids. Now with a great wife and a wonderful job, Taylor is asking what it means to ‘seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.’
I’m trying to learn one more lesson. As parents, we know what it means to delight in our children. Does God the Father delight in us in similar ways? I think He does. “What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it — we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are.” (I John 3:1 from The Message)
“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zeph 3:17