The Analogy of a Father
Excerpt from Sara Nicole's book, "Stop Trying to be a Good Person
For those still struggling to picture what living life with God looks like, here is another analogy:
Imagine a child walking with his/her daddy through a nature park. A good daddy will tell the child things such as, "Stay with me," and "Walk where I tell you to walk." He says these things to protect his child and because he knows what is safe, what is good, and where they are going. He will also point out their destination so the child knows what to expect at the end of the trail. He will most likely not tell the child at the beginning every step they will take down the trail; that would take too long and also overwhelm the child. Plus, the child does not need to know every single step since the daddy is going to be right there every single step of the way.
Once they start out, the child may skip ahead, but the daddy is going to stay right with his child, ever watchful and protective yet delighting in his child's antics. The child may wander off the path, but a good father will always bring his child back onto the path. If the child races far off the original path, perhaps the father will then take the child down a nearby path that is closer instead, one that may be more difficult, longer, or may miss some of the beautiful spots of the original path, but he will certainly bring his child to the same destination as originally planned.
The child may become tired and want to lag behind or just stop walking, but a good daddy knows when to take a rest and when to urge his child onward. The trail may be uneven, and the child may stumble, but Daddy is right there. A good father picks us up when we scrape our knees, catches us before we tumble into rocks, and steadies us when we wobble. And when the path seems too long and all the energy seems to be gone and life seems too hard, when the child wants to give up and cries, if the child will lift up his/her head, he/she will see that daddy is carrying and comforting his child, maybe without his child even realizing. He murmurs soothing words and promises everything will turn out all right. The safest and best way for the child to walk is hand in hand with the father, swinging arms and enjoying the path together - unafraid of shadows or critters or other hikers in the park, because the daddy is stronger than any of them.
We are the Child, God is our Daddy, and the walk through the nature park is our life. God is always right beside us, whether we are looking up at Him or not -as children, we are distracted so easily! He will redirect us when we wander off His path for us, and sometimes if we go too far and do not heed His calls, He directs us to a new path. He is with us in our troubles and sorrows and struggles, ready to help and hold and heal. He picks us up and gives us strength, even in the times when He feels best. Like a child, our feelings can go wonky and be in no way aligned with reality. He still loves us even in the midst of our hysteria, tantrums, and stubbornness. When we argue with Him and run off, He still stays right with us and will make sure we make it home with Him safely.
Sometimes we are the child who walks happily along with our daddy and obeys him. Sometimes we are not. Sometimes we are the child who decides other paths look more fun and runs in every direction except the one in which the daddy wants to go. Sometimes we are the child staring at a phone or game or staring at other children and wanting to have what they have or be them. Sometimes we are the child who sits and pouts and does not want to go anywhere unless the daddy carries us. Sometimes we are the child who sulks about being there at all and tries to run from the daddy out of disobedience and resists and pulls away when the daddy firmly takes hold of our hand. Sometimes we are the foolish child who thinks it is entertaining to hide from the daddy in dangerous parts of the park, perhaps in the poison ivy.
Will these children still reach the destination? Yes, because a good daddy is not going to be thwarted by a small child. Will these children enjoy all the same experiences as the child who is obedient? Probably not. Will these children have more bumps and scratches than the first child by the time they reach the destination? Quite possibly. Will these children at some point resent the daddy and be angry with him. Probably. But are all these children just as loved by the daddy? Absolutely.
None of the children are able to reach the destination alone. The journey is too far and too hard, and we do not have the map. Our Daddy brings us to our destination. He is with us every step of the journey, even if we disobey and take the wrong trail. The children do not have to earn Daddy'e love. The children's value is not based upon whether or not they can walk a straight path. Daddy's love for his children and their value to Him are certain; safe arrival at the destination is assured. The journey itself may be harrowing or may be affected positively or negatively by our actions and attitudes, but our Daddy sticks with us and brings us home. Along the way, there may be obstacles across the path that we cannot jump, but our Daddy can pick us up and over them with ease. That is a good picture of what it looks like for us to try to live how God wants us to live. We hop, and Daddy lifts.
For those still struggling to picture what living life with God looks like, here is another analogy:
Imagine a child walking with his/her daddy through a nature park. A good daddy will tell the child things such as, "Stay with me," and "Walk where I tell you to walk." He says these things to protect his child and because he knows what is safe, what is good, and where they are going. He will also point out their destination so the child knows what to expect at the end of the trail. He will most likely not tell the child at the beginning every step they will take down the trail; that would take too long and also overwhelm the child. Plus, the child does not need to know every single step since the daddy is going to be right there every single step of the way.
Once they start out, the child may skip ahead, but the daddy is going to stay right with his child, ever watchful and protective yet delighting in his child's antics. The child may wander off the path, but a good father will always bring his child back onto the path. If the child races far off the original path, perhaps the father will then take the child down a nearby path that is closer instead, one that may be more difficult, longer, or may miss some of the beautiful spots of the original path, but he will certainly bring his child to the same destination as originally planned.
The child may become tired and want to lag behind or just stop walking, but a good daddy knows when to take a rest and when to urge his child onward. The trail may be uneven, and the child may stumble, but Daddy is right there. A good father picks us up when we scrape our knees, catches us before we tumble into rocks, and steadies us when we wobble. And when the path seems too long and all the energy seems to be gone and life seems too hard, when the child wants to give up and cries, if the child will lift up his/her head, he/she will see that daddy is carrying and comforting his child, maybe without his child even realizing. He murmurs soothing words and promises everything will turn out all right. The safest and best way for the child to walk is hand in hand with the father, swinging arms and enjoying the path together - unafraid of shadows or critters or other hikers in the park, because the daddy is stronger than any of them.
We are the Child, God is our Daddy, and the walk through the nature park is our life. God is always right beside us, whether we are looking up at Him or not -as children, we are distracted so easily! He will redirect us when we wander off His path for us, and sometimes if we go too far and do not heed His calls, He directs us to a new path. He is with us in our troubles and sorrows and struggles, ready to help and hold and heal. He picks us up and gives us strength, even in the times when He feels best. Like a child, our feelings can go wonky and be in no way aligned with reality. He still loves us even in the midst of our hysteria, tantrums, and stubbornness. When we argue with Him and run off, He still stays right with us and will make sure we make it home with Him safely.
Sometimes we are the child who walks happily along with our daddy and obeys him. Sometimes we are not. Sometimes we are the child who decides other paths look more fun and runs in every direction except the one in which the daddy wants to go. Sometimes we are the child staring at a phone or game or staring at other children and wanting to have what they have or be them. Sometimes we are the child who sits and pouts and does not want to go anywhere unless the daddy carries us. Sometimes we are the child who sulks about being there at all and tries to run from the daddy out of disobedience and resists and pulls away when the daddy firmly takes hold of our hand. Sometimes we are the foolish child who thinks it is entertaining to hide from the daddy in dangerous parts of the park, perhaps in the poison ivy.
Will these children still reach the destination? Yes, because a good daddy is not going to be thwarted by a small child. Will these children enjoy all the same experiences as the child who is obedient? Probably not. Will these children have more bumps and scratches than the first child by the time they reach the destination? Quite possibly. Will these children at some point resent the daddy and be angry with him. Probably. But are all these children just as loved by the daddy? Absolutely.
None of the children are able to reach the destination alone. The journey is too far and too hard, and we do not have the map. Our Daddy brings us to our destination. He is with us every step of the journey, even if we disobey and take the wrong trail. The children do not have to earn Daddy'e love. The children's value is not based upon whether or not they can walk a straight path. Daddy's love for his children and their value to Him are certain; safe arrival at the destination is assured. The journey itself may be harrowing or may be affected positively or negatively by our actions and attitudes, but our Daddy sticks with us and brings us home. Along the way, there may be obstacles across the path that we cannot jump, but our Daddy can pick us up and over them with ease. That is a good picture of what it looks like for us to try to live how God wants us to live. We hop, and Daddy lifts.
