Dad is part of God's design

 

Genesis 45:13

My dad was not the kind of man who talked with his children that often, he worked shift-work before the days of air-conditioning, and his and mother’s bedroom was right behind the front porch and the windows were always open to let the hot summer air into his room.   At best, the fan in that room kept out some of the racket of my brother, sister and I, but it was no match for the milkman, the cleaners, the door-to-door salesman, and the many kids that played in the circle in front of our home.

Often it seemed that the only time dad spoke to me was to correct me, or when mother told him to whip me for some small offense, like trying to build a fire under the house.  But that did not keep me from wanting his approval, it’s the way we are designed, each of us wanted dad’s approval.  Joseph was his dad’s favorite, he and his father often spent time together, and for fourteen plus years, the actions of his brothers had taken that pleasure from him.  I’m sure Joseph missed his home in Canaan, but what he missed the most was hanging out with dad.

After informing the brothers, that he was Joseph, their brother, his next act was to instruct them to go home and tell father, all you have seen and heard about me, “You must tell my father of all my honor in Egypt, and bring my father down here.” (Genesis 45:13) 

In the past weeks Haiti has gone through a 7.1 earthquake and so far it has been reported that over 200,000 are dead and that a million people are without shelter or food.  This thought came to my mind while writing this; thousands of children will never be able to seek the approval of their dads, and many will be orphans, many will be widows, but God has provided, yes, God has already met that void!  Psalms 68:5, “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.” 

My dad is long gone and there were many times I’ve wanted him to be part of what was going on in our family, and I am reminded that my Father in heaven has not missed one thing, and what an encourager He is to me.   Dear Father, You’re the very best; You are the giver of life, thank You for loving me!

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice