"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (KJV)
Introduction
I want to start with a CAVEAT! A friendly little warning that this blog is going to be more of a heart-to-heart chat with you. Parent’s Day, the day that this originally is posted is a special day for me. In 2013, my mother passed on Parent’s Day. 3 years prior my father had passed on the same date. Some might look at Parent’s Day as just another day that we are nice to our parents. However, I want to take the time to delve into what do we learn from our parents on earth and what is God, our Heavenly Father, doing and teaching in our life.
We are diving headfirst into a fascinating topic: Earthly Parents vs. Heavenly Father. We all know our folks have taught us lessons, some sweet as pie, some tough as nails, but all crucial. Yet, there's a Heavenly Father, our God, who uses these lessons, the good and the bad, for our ultimate good. As we navigate this path together, you'll uncover how our experiences with earthly parents can illuminate our understanding of our Heavenly Father and His ways.
Lessons from Earthly Parents
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
Man, oh man. This has been said throughout my social media and possibly in other blogs; this verse is one of my favorite verses in Proverbs. You know, when I look back, I see how my parents, despite any flaws or follies, instilled certain values in me. Proverbs says it best. Earthly parents play a significant role in training a child, laying down the groundwork for the life they are to lead. The funny thing is that there can be great cherished memories that build a firm foundation and others not so much. An example of this would be my father’s father abandoned his family when my father was a child and the third of four children. That is why I call him my father’s father and not my grandfather because he was never in our lives. This experience made my father extremely involved in my life through being a great provider, a cub and boy scout leader, a baseball coach, an elder in the church, etc.
Just like teaching a child to ride a bike, parents guide, support, and eventually let go when they think we’re ready. Some lessons are fun, others might come with a few bumps and scrapes. Yet, it's those lessons that often stick with us. And really, if you look in the whole grand scheme of things, these lessons shape us, prepare us, and guide us towards understanding our Heavenly Father. My father taught me through his actions that a good father will never abandon his child. Our Heavenly Father is the Good Father, He will be with you always. What I learned from my father has now translated to me being a father to my daughter. But, reading the Bible while learning the love that God has for us has taught me even more. It truthfully has brought me closer to Him than I ever thought was possible.
Real-Life Application: Put aside some time today to jot down some key lessons you learned from your earthly parents. It doesn’t have to be a long amount of time, but enough to reflect on how these lessons have influenced your path and your understanding of God's role in your life. You will be better for it.
God’s Use of Good and Bad
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." James 1:2-3 (KJV)
Do you live on Easy Street? I know I don’t. We have our highs; we have our lows. James, in his letter, talks about seeing trials as opportunities for growth, where our faith is tested and patience is nurtured. This is perfect advice since so many of us can get caught up in the moment that we face challenges. It is easy to see the obstacle as just that, an obstacle that is in our way whether it is a temptation or a roadblock in life.
Yet life, with its fair share of sunshine and rain, is God's classroom. He is our teacher. Through our experiences, good and bad, He shapes us, molds us, and prepares us for His purpose. Just as earthly parents' lessons make us wiser; our Heavenly Father uses life's ups and downs for our growth and good. We just have to look past the lesson. Next time you face a challenge, pause. Consider it an opportunity for growth. See it as a lesson from your Heavenly Father, meant to strengthen your faith and patience.
Real-Life Application: Even though the last three sentences in the previous paragraph could be an application in itself, I want to share one with you that I do almost every single time I face a challenge. (I can’t say every time because I am human and sometimes, I do get caught in the moment.) When faced with a challenge, something that is happening and you just don’t know why… PRAY. Yes, pray for understanding of the lesson. Make sure you are not praying for complete understanding of it all, because that isn’t needed. What you need to be doing is praying to understand that particular lesson that God wants you to learn.
Divine Guidance
"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." Psalms 32:8 (KJV)
Just like a lighthouse guiding ships, our Heavenly Father promises to lead us. He says He will instruct us and guide us in the way we should go. And yes, it is as easy as that (conceptually speaking).
Isn't that comforting though? No matter what lessons we've learned from our earthly parents, no matter what life throws at us, our Heavenly Father's guidance is constant, and there is GRACE there too! He’s like the north star, a sure and steady point of reference in the ups and downs of life.
Real-Life Application: Remember, you're never alone in your journey. Humble yourself and realize that this is not a solitary journey. As you navigate through life, trust in the divine guidance of your Heavenly Father. Seek His direction in prayer and through His Word.
Conclusion
This chat is about to end, but I want you to remember something out of everything that was said. Our experiences with our earthly parents, whether they are parents by birth, step, foster, or adoptive, teach us valuable lessons. Yet, it's our Heavenly Father who turns these lessons, good and bad, into a purposeful path for our spiritual growth. On this Parent's Day, but not only on Parent's Day, acknowledge and appreciate both the seen and unseen guidance that shapes us, leads us, and ultimately, brings us closer to God.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the comment section below. Additionally, if you found this article to be helpful, please share it with others who may also benefit from it.
Andrew R. Davis, a Christian blogger, speaker, and ministry leader, passionately shares the Word of God, guiding others in understanding the Bible and discovering their unique role in God's plan. Through HolyBanter.com, his podcast, and creative pursuits, he empowers Christians to incorporate spiritual gifts into everyday life, igniting their purposeful journey.
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