Breathing life

So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (Luke 15:12)

Background

In this parable Jesus offers a glimpse of the Father. No one ever had a clearer picture of the Father’s personality than Jesus. Jesus had seen the Father up close and personal. Pay close attention and let this sink in. Notice that this story is framed from a father’s posture of looking for his son while he was a long way off.   It was as if he was sitting on his porch and longingly looking into the horizon and just hoping.  After seeing his son, the father doesn’t passive-aggressively let his son make those final steps alone…”because he hurt us so much”.  No.  The Father pursues his son.  He doesn’t walk. He doesn’t even jog. No, this father runs. This father loves his son with abandon.  And this is the picture of the father that Jesus wanted us to soak in.

We have enormous value and worth to our Father. He loves us and views us preciously in spite of our major shortcomings. In spite of our struggles. In spite of our seasons away. And when we return, He chases us.

Reflections

Let’s make this real. Earlier today I got off the phone with my daughter and was describing the modest size of my apartment. I said “when you get out here would you prefer to sleep in the closet or the tub?” In our family we joke a lot…and at times maybe too much. As I was laying in bed I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me “did that comment instill worth and value?” I called her back. I apologized. I shared how valuable she was to me.

This got me thinking. I wonder if I also need to be more careful with even using more casual or light-hearted names such as “goofball” or “goofy”? Do these terms instill a sense of value…or subtly erode it?

Let’s flip this. Nearly 45 years ago  it was a warm summer evening and my father was tucking my brother and me into bed.  My Dad started telling us how much he loved us and the conversation went something like this:

Me: “Dad, if someone ever took us would you give your car up for us to get us back?”

Dad: “Of course I would”

Me: “Dad, if someone ever took us would you give up our house for us?”

Dad: “Of course I would”

Dad: “Guys, let me put it this way – if someone ever took you I would give up everything I own…everything to get you back”.

And 45 years later I still remember my father’s words on that non-descript summer night. I will never forget it.  He probably did.  Words are powerful.  They can breathe life.

I have increasingly been wondering if one of my primary duties as a spouse and father is to deliberately instill a sense of value in both my wife and kids. This is an area I need the Holy Spirit’s help to hone. It doesn’t come naturally. Some days I do ok. Other days I am sloppy. Other days I miss it big time.

What if each member of our family caught a breath of their worth and value because we were committed daily with reinforcing it?

What if we were as focused on prayerfully instilling worth and value in their unique love language as many of us (e.g. me) are with correction?

What if 45 years into the future our children remember a night when we breathed life into them?