Impact of a Father's Reflection: Seeing God through my father, grandfathers and spiritual fathers.

Seeing God through whom you come in contact on a daily basis and how HE shows himself and HIS character, so that we can learn to be more like HIM and teach others to do the same. The acronym for FATHER is Faithful, Atonement, Teacher, Helper, Encourager & Rewarder. God is always faithful even if our earthly fathers are not and HE paid the price for relationship and finally is constantly teaching, helping, encouraging and rewarding us to help us get where we need to be, because GOD is good ! FAITHFUL - A father can be like a silent bulldozer, "paving the way" for life to be able to run smoothly for his family. He works to remove the danger and the obstacles to his family in order to create an atmosphere where they may see the character of God through his commitments, strengths and even weaknesses. The bumps and holes are smoothed out by the father's front work often done at times not seen by the family. ATONEMENT - A Father can also be seen "paying the price" not only for tuitions, groceries, Dr. bills and participation to clubs and sports, but also by facing the pain caused by an imperfect world and absorbing it instead of reflecting it back on the family. Through these efforts he preserves them from multiple unnecessary woundings. With whomever the buck stops, that person can be considered a protector of the family. The father was designed and made for this in the likeness of Christ and his ability increases as he follows Christ's teaching. The selflessness required to be a successful father is no longer being taught in a culture dominated with selfishness and personal fulfillment. But with God's help, the father's behavior becomes a model of Christ and serves to bless and benefit his family while purposefully glorifying God. TEACHER - The father is uniquely gifted to "prepare the student" for the journey ahead. Both sons and daughters are equally in need of his role as a teacher. Teaching and training children by lifestyle is incredibly important and brings a reception to cooperation with the family that no other can bring than by a father's openness to learn. Lifestyle teaching will occur without a word said, whether good or bad. HELPER - Along the journey, the father is "partnering in the mission" with God to bless his family. He also seeks to develop his purposes and align them with God's purpose for his sons & daughters and his family as a whole. Dr Gerald Chester once told me that one of his primary roles as a grandfather was to help his grandchildren in cooperation with the parents to determine God's plan for their life, so the grandchildren were not left alone to this discovery when they were adults. ENCOURAGER - Just as serious as anything else, the father must realize his vital mission of encouraging his children in order to "prime the pump" for their willingness to search, seek and find God's voice in their lives. Knowing God's voice helps them to follow Him even when circumstances become difficult and darkness seems to be prevailing. REWARDER - While these are points of view, and by no means exhaustive, they certainly give an opportunity to gain a new perspective on the father's role in the family. Such a father can be seen helping them "Post the Victory" one triumph at a time, from one day to the next and past, present and future eternity. There to enjoy a life in the presence of God where the entire family can be reunited on the other side of this life on earth. Out of the many responsibilities of the father to reveal the character of the Heavenly Father, God, this is perhaps the most joyous, when done substantively. How great is the opportunity to reveal to the children and family what awaits the obedient and respectful behavior. To reward right choices and victorious living, "Posting the Victory" one triumph at a time. Until then, Victory Posts will build a child's faith in the father's teachings which will be a joy to transfer onto the one true father in heaven.