Linc, I Am Your Father

Often the most meaningful and teachable moments happen when we least expect them. Those times exist when we have taken the short cuts on the map—you know, the mental map that guides most men—and we gradually find ourselves overlooking the valleys of upstate New York when we should be driving into Manhattan. Those are the moments when frustrations quickly escalate; tools, toys, and words begin to fly, and then God stops us and says, 'Settle down—you just might learn something from this.'

Recently, something similar happened to me. I was helping my two-year old son take his bath while I scurried to complete some homework. As with most fathers, I felt I could easily manage both. However, as the sound of computer keys reverberated throughout my office, the sound of water pouring onto tile echoed from the bathroom, an all-too-familiar problem with this child. I quickly jumped into father mode, rushed into the bathroom, and exclaimed, 'DO NOT pour water on the floor, Lincoln! Keep it in the tub!'

He replied, 'Yes, sir.'

'If you do that one more time, you will go straight to bed, young man!'

He nodded his head and said, 'I keep it in the tub, Daddy.'

I ran back across the hall and continued writing. Immediately, I heard water pouring again. Calmly, I walked into the bathroom, pulled the drain plug, and said, 'That's it. It's bed time.'

Linc began to cry as I reminded him why he was going to bed. We said our prayers through a few crocodile tears, and I left. I hurt as I listened to him cry for the next few minutes. That evening, his disobedience had brought our upcoming play time to a halt—I had been anticipating play time all day.

As I went back to writing, about God's never-ending love for the Israelites, I tried to wrap my mind around how much God truly loves us. I have taken comfort in the fact that I do not understand His love, ultimately, for each of us, but my faith allows me to understand through His Word that He will never forsake us.

I went back into Linc's room and the look of disappointment in his tear-filled eyes was revealing. I looked him in the eyes and asked, 'Do you know why you're in bed?'

'I threw the water, Daddy.'

'I don't like punishing you, son. But, Linc, I am your father, and when I tell you to do something and you disobey me, I must.'

At that moment, I felt as though God slapped me in the face and said, 'See! I too hurt when I punish my people.' I told Linc to stay there for 10 minutes and I would come back.

Within seconds, back in my office, my emotions began to flood. From deep within my soul I felt that familiar warmth that is only of God. I believe He was truly teaching me then, offering me just a taste of the love that He has for us and the pain we cause Him. He does love us, and will go to extreme measures—often unthinkable to us—to show us just how rich that love is.

My emotions were not ceasing—they seemed to continue for the entirety of Linc's punishment. With just seconds to spare, I jumped up and went back into his room. He immediately sat up and the sound of 'Daddy!' was almost enough to make me break down again—a true weeper I am indeed. I spoke to him with words I hoped would make sense, while explaining that since he served his punishment, he could come out and play. You can imagine the excitement and joyful screaming that ensued.

The Lord did something in me that night—something I hope to retain and reference throughout the coming years of parenthood. He showed me a taste of the love that He has for all of His creation. He taught me how He changes His plans to meet us where we are. He offers us that second, third, fourth, or more, chance at redemption, with the hopeful outcome being enjoyable fellowship with Him.

As the Lord told Moses, 'Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say,' (Exodus 4:12). So too did the Lord teach, guide, and help me that evening. May His presence be with and guide you all the same.

Ben Douglas is married to his wife, Kylie. The couple has two children. Ben is a biblical studies major at Indiana Wesleyan University. The family attends First Church of the Nazarene in Terre Haute, Indiana.

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