A Real Father

Bible Reading: Psalm 136:23-26

Jack almost ran off the bus. He opened the front door and quickly ran inside.

“Hey, Jack. How was school?” his mom asked from the kitchen.

“Fine. I’m going to go to my room,” Jack said. He ran through the hall before his Mom could stop him.

He took off his jacket and sat on his bed. It wasn’t fair. They were having a father-son bowling tournament at school, and all his friends were going. Jack couldn’t remember what it was like to have a dad, since his father left when he was a baby.

Jack’s mom knocked on the door. “Can I come in?” Mom walked into the room with a plate of cookies and held it out. Jack slowly took a cookie.

“Is this about the bowling tournament?” Mom asked.

Jack nodded. “It’s not fair. All my friends are going.” He sighed. “All my friends have dads.”

“But, Jack, you do have a Dad,” said Mom.

“But he’s not here,” Jack replied.

“Oh, but He is. You have a heavenly Father. Do you know who I’m talking about?”

“You mean—God? But he’s not the kind of dad you can take to bowling tournaments.”

Mom sat down on the bed. “Jack, I know how much it hurts you not to have a dad like the other kids do, and I’m sorry. But remember that God loves you more than any earthly father could. Unlike human love, which fails, His love is perfect.” Mom’s eyes brightened. “It’s like the bowling tournament. Have you ever bowled a perfect game?”

“No,” Jack said. “That would be really hard to do.”

“Exactly, but God is able to do what no human can—He loves you perfectly. He sent His own Son to die for you so you could be His child! And He promises to always be with you and comfort you when you miss having an earthly dad.”

Jack smiled, then looked at the ground. “But I still can’t go to the bowling tournament.”

“How about I ask Uncle Grant to drive up for a visit?” suggested Mom. “Maybe he can take you.”

Jack nodded. “That’s a great idea.” Megan Horton

How About You?

Is there a parent or another person you miss having in your life? It hurts when someone we love can’t be there for us, but remember that you have a heavenly Father who loves you and will never fail you. God loves you with a perfect love, and He’s with you in difficult times of pain and loss. Thank Him for His perfect love, and trust Him to care for you.

Today’s Key Verse:
1 John 3:1 See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

God’s love is perfect