Phillip Henry (my team leader) and I were talking last month in China about our contact’s son. Everytime he would get his little 1 and a half year old fingers caught in a closing door, which happened a lot, his dad would come running to his aid. I have never seen a man move as fast as he did. He took three steps and he was already to his crying, screaming son. The thing that got our attention the most though, was his son’s reaction. His dad would pick him up and try to comfort him, but he always wanted down, so he could run to his mother.
We began to talk about what effect that had on our contact. It had to be rough for him. He fought hard to protect and comfort his son, but all his son wanted was his mommy. This deep discussion led us to talk about how we were with our own dads. Growing up I always felt extremely comforted by my mother so if I got hurt I would always run to her instead of my dad. What effect did that have on my dad? It had to be hard. I know my dad tried to comfort me, but all I wanted was mommy.
I then began to think about how I was with my dad as I got older. I still would go to my mom. If I called the house, usually dad would answer, but I would always ask to speak to mom. My dad would say, “Is there anything I can do for you buddy” or “What’s up”. My response was always the same, “Nothing, can I speak to her?” Thinking about it now, it brings me sorrow. I never once considered how it made my dad feel that I didn’t go to him for things. It has to be hard being a father and constantly feeling this kind of almost natural rejection.
All this talking and deep thoughts led us to step into our dad’s shoes for a minute. How would it feel if my son always ran to his mother and never to me? How would that rejection feel? Then I thought about how much I love my dad and never want to hurt him like that. I thought about much I want to spend time with my dad and just soak up his wisdom. My dad is a very wise man. I have a lot to learn from him. I thought about how much just sitting on the river bank fishing with pop would mean to me. It would mean everything just to hang out with him and listen to his amazing stories. To listen to the lessons he has learned about life and how I should apply them to mine. When I think about it, it brings tears to my eyes. I miss my dad!!
Later on, God connected that same scenario to Him. In a way, that’s what we, as His children do to Him. Instead of running to our Father, we run to other things, and He feels rejected. It has to be rough on Him. I don’t want to hurt my Father when things get rough or don’t go my way by rejecting Him for other things. I want to spend time with my Father. Just me and Him. My Father has much to teach me and I want to soak up His wisdom. My Father is very wise. In fact, true wisdom only comes from Him. I want to learn His life lessons and apply them to my life. I miss my Father!!
