The Father of Fathers

 

When the good Lord created fathers, He started with a tall frame. An angel nearby said, “What kind of father is that? If you’re going to make a child so close to the ground, why have you put the father up so high? He won’t be able to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck a child into bed without bending, or even kiss a child without a lot of stooping.” And God smiled and said, “Yes, but if I make him child size, who would the children have to look up to?” When God made a father’s hands, they were large and sinewy. The angel sadly shook his head and said, “Do you know what you’re doing? Large hands are clumsy. They can’t handle diaper pins, small buttons, rubber bands on ponytails, or even remove splinters from baseball bats.” God smiled and said, “I know, but they’re large enough to hold everything a small boy empties from his pockets at the end of a day – yet small enough to cup a child’s face.” Then God molded long, slim legs and broad shoulders. The angel said, “Boy, this is the end of the week, all right! Do you realize you just made a father without a lap? How is he going to pull a child close to him without the kid falling between his legs?” God smiled and said, “A mother needs a lap. A father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled, balance a boy on a bicycle or hold a sheepy-head on the way home from the circus.” God was in the middle of creating two of the largest feet anyone had ever seen when the angel could contain himself no longer. “That’s not fair. Do you honestly think those large boats are going to dig out of bed early in the morning when the baby is crying? Or walk through a small birthday party without stepping on at least three of the guests?” God smiled and said, “They’ll work. You’ll see. They’ll support a small child who wants to ride a pony or scare off some mice at the summer cabin, and display shoes that will be a challenge to fill.” God worked throughout the night, giving the father few words, but a firm, authoritative voice and eyes that could see everything, but remain calm and tolerant.

[Psalm 96:4-9] A little boy asked his father what the highest number was he had ever counted. Replying he didn’t know, the father asked his son for his highest number. It was 973. “Why did you stop there?” wondered the father. “Because church was over.”

I suspect that you have probably sat through worship services where your mind was focused on something just as trivial rather than on God. It’s easy to allow the mind to wander. “I can’t wait to see the ball game this afternoon.” “I wonder what we’re having for lunch?” “I’ve never noticed before that the carpet down there is beginning to unravel a bit.”

Is it any wonder we so often leave the worship assembly with the feeling that it wasn’t very meaningful? Worship should be a time when we are confronted with the majesty and glory of God. As we reflect on God’s power, we realize how much we need Him in our times of weakness. As we reflect on God’s wisdom, we realize how much we need Him in our times of indecision. As we reflect on God’s holiness, we are made aware of our own sinfulness and the need for forgiveness. As we reflect on God’s love, we realize the effort that God has gone to make that forgiveness available. It’s not a ritual we go through every week. It is an opportunity to express our praise to the One who means more to us than all the earth. As we truly worship and praise God from the heart, we become more aware of how much we really want to live close to Him. We leave with the challenge to “be holy as He is holy.” “…Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples, Give to the Lord glory and strength. Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.”

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below – always.