First Things First

“You [absent] fathers who have your hands raised [to God] in church today, put your hands down and go find your children.” These were the words of my pastor recently. It grabbed my heart. Sometimes we make relationship with God complicated. We put on the cloak of religion ‘doing’ all the perceived right things. All the while ignoring the simplest of request. Show love, mercy and kindness. Fathers who truly love, show up. They stay in the game and play even in pain.

In our limitations and our mess, there are things we can’t fix – only God can. However, we have a responsibility to correct the things we can. Even in our weaknesses He shows up with divine help. There’s no situation so complicated that the redemptive love of God can’t resolve. Sometimes we just need to ask. God doesn’t need raised hands and a hallelujah shout when the raised hands have left their children without a father. Let’s go back to doing first things first.

O Man! He has told you what is good and what it is the LORD requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8)

*** Happy Father’s Day!