June 14, 2023

Be as intentional as possible!
Be as specific as possible!
Choose heavenly ingredients!
Keep pouring in the God-love!

One of the greatest honors, pleasures, and challenges of my life has been discovering what it means to be a husband and a father. When people use to ask me about how to parent, I would tell them that it’s a lot like being a mad scientist. Your home is a laboratory. You have a goal for what you’re creating, and you have the opportunity to pick your ingredients. But no matter what you plan and pick, your invention is going to eventually come alive and be out of your control. Also, you will never be perfect (like our Creator God), so you’re probably going to add some ingredients that won’t turn out according to your plan. BE AS INTENTIONAL AS POSSIBLE!

Some people would say, “I just want my kid to be healthy and happy.” That’s an incredibly vague non-target. Good luck with that. What specifically does happy look like? What specifically does healthy look like? Are you defining these terms by the word of God and your eternal, heavenly design? How in the world do you know what ingredients to add if you don’t have a clear idea of what you’re creating? BE AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE!

What ingredients would you pick? We know that we were created to be eternal Kingdom agents in the image and likeness of God, and we were made to be just a little lower than God and serve as His stewards and delegated authority on the earth. Jesus said that the sum of eternal life is this: knowing the one true God and His Son Jesus Christ. If you truly understand that your children were made for eternal, right relationship and service, then use His Word as your spice cabinet. CHOOSE HEAVENLY INGREDIENTS!

As a father, I am the greatest human male role-model and investor in my children. I impact their view of Father God and I impact their view of Jesus the Bridegroom. I’m so far from perfect and I’ve definitely added some ingredients that the Lord has had to go back and remove from their lives — THANK YOU, LORD! But knowing my imperfection and my mistakes doesn’t disqualify me or remove the awesome responsibility I’ve received. Nor does it excuse me from endeavoring to grow. But it does remind me of some of the most necessary ingredients required: mercy, grace, and love. Mercy to forgive, grace to help rise again and advance according to their high calling, and all things wrapped up in God-like love — sacrificial, edifying, encouraging, comforting, and holy love. KEEP POURING IN THE GOD-LOVE!

One final note… Nothing in this life has so pushed me deeper into my Heavenly Father. Nothing has provoked me to live authentically and sincerely… Nothing has challenged me to grow in receiving and giving God’s love… Nothing has done all that and more, like being a husband and a father. Because I know I can only give what I receive, but what I abundantly receive I can abundantly give. So this has put me in the position of a conduit. What joy is found by those serving as living tributaries for the river of God! Where that river flows, there is life!

Church, get ready!
Matt