Carina Francke

Scripture: Hosea 11:1, 3, 4, 8: When Israel was a child, then I loved him and called My son out of Egypt. I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms or taking them up in My arms, but they did not know that I healed them. I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love, and I was to them as one who lifts up and eases the yoke over their cheeks, and I bent down to them and gently laid food before them.

TS Elliot said a child's future life path starts within the family.  It is in the family that the course and natureof the road is determined.  The father and mother plays the leading parts - parts with enormous challenges, but not unfeasible.  After all, we do have an example - God Himself!

In God's description of Himself as a father, we get the image of Someone that never stops loving and caring even in the absence of acknowledgment and gratefulness from His children. This caring heart of God in earthly parents, overflows to their children.

In human terms, the modernfather that imitates this example is someone who demonstrates the love and care of a godly father.  He is a father who never hesitates to pause and help his child to get on his feet again when he struggles, stumbles or even falls down on life's road.  He will even carry him when necessary. If wrong choices or problems leave abrasions or wounds, Dad can only but help to ease the weight - the child has to make the choice himself to get rid of the weight. But, even then, Dad's understanding and caring will still be willing to give a helping hand.

And if it happens that the child still rejects these acts of caring, his Dad does not give up on him.  He throws a cord (of prayer) around the child to reelhim in.  Hosea describes this cord as a cord of man, a band of love.

Such a Dad lives love. Such a Dad lives God's love. And that makes a house a home.

Prayer: Father, without You in my life I cannot be the father that allows your heart to flow through me to my family.  I am completely dependent on You to make my house a home. Amen.