10 Ways God is the Perfect Father (In Case Yours Wasn’t) Pt 1
by Cindi McMenamin
If you – or your children – have wounds in your life because of a less-than-perfect father you are not alone.
Having ministered to women for more than 30 years, I’ve heard the stories of absent fathers, abusive fathers, emotionally-distant fathers, and demanding or controlling fathers, all of which can negatively impact our perception of our Heavenly father.
Scripture says God’s ways are “perfect” (Psalm 18:30) and that He is a “faithful God who does no wrong” and is “upright and just” (Deuteronomy 32:4). That makes Him the perfect Father you – or your children – never had.
In my book, 10 Secrets to Becoming a Worry-Free Mom, I point out that this perfect Heavenly Father of ours has a way of filtering out the damage that you and your children don’t need, as well as filling in the gaps to make up for something you or your children still need.
If you didn’t have a father who was approachable, loving and had your very best in mind, God – as your Heavenly Father – is waiting to more than make up for what you never had. Here are ten ways God can fill in the gaps and be the perfect Father, in case yours wasn’t:
- His patience and kindness never run out.
If you’ve ever felt you used up whatever patience or kindness your dad once had, you don’t have to worry about overextending your Heavenly Father. Psalm 103:17 says “from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.” And Psalm 106:1 says “for he is good;
his love endures forever.”
That means not only that God’s patience and kindness never wear out, but that God’s ability to forgive you never wanes either. Psalm 103:12 assures us “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” That means your Heavenly Father also never holds a grudge or brings up your past.
- He is always approachable.
God never has a bad day, is never in a sour mood, and is never too busy or distracted for His child. When you are in relationship with His Son, Christ Jesus, you have complete access to your Heavenly Father’s ear, His heart, His focused attention. Hebrews 4:16 tells us we can “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Furthermore, Psalm 121:3 tells us that God will not let our feet slip because He never slumbers. And in Psalm 138:3, David sang “When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me” letting us know God is never too busy to hear our cries and come to our rescue.
- You will never have to earn His love.
You may have felt that you had to earn your father’s love and respect by accomplishing great things to make him proud of you. God is not a father like that. Romans 5:8 tells us that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
While we were still sinners. While we were still blowing it.While we were not measuring up. While we were oblivious to Him and His love, He sent His Son to die for us. That is unconditional, sacrificial love and it is unlike anything you can experience on this earth. God is a Father who chose to love you and you didn’t do a thing to earn it.
- You will never blow it enough to lose His love.
Since there was nothing you could do to earn your Heavenly Father’s love, there is nothing you can do to lose it. Romans 8:38-39 tells us “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In other words, no circumstance, seen or unseen power, person, action or inaction on your part can separate you from God’s love. That is powerful. And that is a promise that only your Heavenly Father has the power to fulfill. Every person on this earth who claims to love you and never leave you will still be separated from you (at least temporarily) through their death or yours. But God’s Word promises that even in death there is no separation from God’s love – ever (2 Corinthians 5:8).
- He has your very best in mind.
It’s natural for humans to be selfish and consider themselves before anyone else. So, if you had a dad who was unselfish, and willing to sacrifice his own comfort for yours, you had a gift – a glimpse of what Your Heavenly Father is like. Scripture tells us “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).
In Matthew 7:11, Jesus said: “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” God not only has the ability to give you anything you desire (as long as it’s good for you), He also knows your situation down the road and what will be best for you in the long run, as well as eternally.
Tune in next month for the last 5 ways God is the perfect Father!
~ Cindi
Cindi McMenamin is a national speaker and award-winning writer who helps women and couples strengthen their relationship with God and with others. She has authored more than a dozen books including When Women Walk Alone(more than 130,000 copies sold), When God Sees Your Tears, When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts, When God Pursues a Woman’s Heart, and 10 Secrets to Becoming a Worry-Free Mom.For more on her resources to help strengthen your walk with God, your marriage, or your parenting, see her website: www.StrengthForTheSoul.com.
