Before someone has kids, they generally get an idea of God the Father from their own dads. If your dad was a strict authoritarian, then God must be the same. Maybe you have an absentee father, so you don’t have a real frame of reference for God.
Dads really do get a bit of a short stick in the media. They’re portrayed as bumbling idiots, alcoholics, losers, or bad guys. No protagonist usually has a good childhood.
Here’s another way to look at God the Father, and that’s as a dad.
When Samuel was born, I already loved him. He did nothing to earn it, and when he messes up, he won’t lose that love.
Like all kids, he’s a drain on time, sleep, and resources. You have to rearrange your life when you have kids.
As his dad, I don’t care, I’m willing. I wake up with him every night since Casey can’t hear him—and I love sleep—to change his diaper after she feeds him. Even when he fills it again right after I change it.
I plan for his future, setting aside money for his education in eighteen years. In my mind, I have a vision of the character he’ll have and the legacy of service I want to pass on to him.
I have never taken so many pictures. I can just sit and watch him for a long time. At work, I’ll thumb through my phone, looking at them.
This is how I’m starting to see God. He’s crazy about me and you, and we did nothing to earn it.
One difference is we’ll never drain God’s resources. He gives us His full attention.
God has a plan for my future, a vision of who I’ll become, and the legacy He wants to pass on.
I imagine God looks at me like I look at Sam.
A Ronin's Journey 