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.…
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