A GOOD FATHER

You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, He’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living.1 Peter 1:17    The Message

God loves us and meets our needs, helps us in times of trouble as any good father would, but he also corrects us and hold us accountable for the way we live and respond to Him.

When I read this today my mind immediately went back to my first year of teaching 2^nd grade in the inner city of Columbus, Ohio. Charlie came to my class mid-way through the year. I was told he had been kicked out of several schools and to do my best with him. He was obviously ADHD to the max!  I knew how important it was to be the one in control of my students and class and determined not to allow him to deprive the others of learning. Trust me he was a challenge for someone who had prepared to teach secondary students and was trying to teach phonics and addition and subtraction to second graders!!

One day when it was time to go home, it was snowing quite heavily. As the students lined up, I told them we wouldn’t leave until all coats and hats were on and zipped up. We waited nearly five minutes for Charlie to comply, but I was determined to win! I walked them to the door and said goodbye to each until I got to the last student, Charlie. He had taken off his coat and was ready to tell me where to go! Seriously!?? I stood in front of him and reminded him that he could not leave without his coat on and zipped. We stood there for about ten minutes in a starring contest. Finally, I took his coat and forced it on him (that was back when you could touch children) He was furious! I told him I cared for him and would not let him get sick on my watch, and marched him across the playground holding his hand so he couldn’t remove his coat. I let go once he stepped onto the public sidewalk and turned to go while he cursed me and took off his coat!

As I was preparing to leave for the day the principal called me in to her office and told me I had been reported by Charlie. He stomped into her office and told her to fire me! We both smiled, but then she told me a little more about how Charlie had a very poor home life and had been moved from school to school. I did not expect to see him again.

The next day, to my surprise, Charlies showed up for school and entered the room calmly. As I looked at him, he had a frown on his face but a hint of a smile in his eyes. He proceeded through the next 2 weeks as my helper and seemed quite happy. Then, his mother moved again, and Charlie was gone! But I believe Charlie knew someone truly cared about him enough to make sure he obeyed and was safe in the storm.

That’s the kind of Father we have. He loves us enough to hold us accountable for our decisions and actions and gives us warnings and sometimes corrections. He will make sure we stay on the right track so we can be safe in the storms of life and spend eternity in the warmth of His love!

Father thank You for you undying, unconditional love that not only helps us when we are in trouble, but warns us and corrects us to keep us out of trouble!