In the Geiger house there is a moment on Father’s Day that is one of my favorite moments each year. Kaye started the tradition ten years ago when she gave me the “Daddy book,” a book each daughter gives me and adds to each year. They add pictures, list their favorite memories from the year, and write me an encouraging note. When they were babies and toddlers, Kaye chose the memories and the pictures, but as they got older they started filling out the book themselves. If our house were to ever be on fire, and I had 20 seconds to grab anything I could, I would grab the Daddy books (one from Eden and one from Evie). They remind me of the joy of being a father and of the special relationship I have with each daughter.
And they remind me of my relationship with God. When Kaye and I learned we were going to be parents, godly and wise people told me that being a parent would give me a new sense of awe and appreciation for God as my Father. They said, “having a child helps you understand, with greater depth, how much God loves you.” They were absolutely right. Being a dad for ten years has given me greater clarity on these four truths about God.
The love of the Father is intense.
Before my daughters were born, I knew that I would love them. I had no way of grasping just how intense my love for them would be. How they treat people, work hard, or walk in integrity causes me to be proud or disappointed, but it does not impact my love for them. My love is fixed on them because I am their father. Being a dad helps you better understand the beautiful truth that there is nothing you can ever do that will cause God to stop loving you.
The wisdom of the Father is unsearchable.
My kids don’t always know the good things I have planned for them. If I told them when they were five years old, for example, that the reason we were not spending money on something they wanted was so that I could set money aside for their college fund instead, the reasoning would have been incomprehensible for them. The ways of the Father are higher than our ways, and this is really good news for us. We don’t know what our Father has planned, and we don’t always understand what He is doing, but He is wise and He is good.
The discipline of the Father is gracious.
We discipline our daughters. Sometimes this means no television for a specific amount of time or no playing with friends. Sometimes it means a spanking. When the spanking is about to occur, in the laundry room away from anyone else, they often say, “Please give me grace.” They mean, of course, “please don’t spank me.” But I keep responding, “I am giving you grace. This is gracious. I am disciplining you because I love you and I am responsible to teach you.” Our Father disciplines us too, to mature us and develop us. His love for us motivates the discipline and it is for our good.
The Father’s commitment to provide is staggering.
I would do anything necessary to provide for my kids, to be sure they have their needs met. My commitment is strong, but it pales in comparison to His commitment to me (and to them). I am limited in my resources, but the Father is unlimited in His. I am imperfect in my love, but the Father is perfect in His. He will meet all our needs according to His riches in glory.
