Did you pray about it?

Posted by Matt on January 16th, 2009 filed in Boundaries, Parenting, Your Thought Life, relationships

It is amazing to see how kids see their parents sometimes.  When something breaks or a problem arises, my kids have the full faith and trust that Daddy can fix it.  “Daddy can do anything…he is Super-Man!!!”  As cute as it sounds, I think it is important to take care of their little hearts with this.

I was the same way with my dad.  I mean, if I had a hard homework problem, any question about anything…all I had to do was ask Dad.  I mean he KNOWS ALL.  My dad was pretty diverse…he really did know a lot about a lot of things.  He somehow fixed any toy car I broke.  He had all the money in the world (not really :-).

Funny thing is that once I became an young man and even into adulthood… my belief and trust in my father’s wisdom never changed.  When I had problems with my real car or ran into some financial troubles, my father was incredibly supportive.  I could talk to him about everything and anything.

However, the older I became the more he would talk to me about how he was just a simple man…finite and with faults of his own.  He related to me that God is THE FATHER that truly knows all, sees all, is ALL.  Of course, growing up in the pews of churches my whole life… I knew this.  But Dad really forced me to live it out.  He was so gracious in teaching me this.

I came to him with some very raw, tough, life-changing situations where I needed answers.  I will never forget my Dad’s face.  His eyes were full of tears because he felt my hurt…my pain.  I could see him searching his heart.  He then simply put his huge arms around my shoulders and asked me…”Did you pray about it?”

At first, I thought…”Pray about it??? I need an answer now!! A real answer!!”  As if God’s answers weren’t real.  He just smiled at me as he saw my reaction.  He said, “Son, I love you so much.  You are my favorite son.  But you know what?  God loves you too…and you are one of His favorites.  Just talk to Him like you do me.  I know He will give you what you need.”

It was at that point in my life that I truly learned what it meant to lean on God.  To have a true relationship with Him.  My dad was willing to allow his decrease in my life to God’s increase instead.  It changed me forever.  I learned that I could talk to THE FATHER just like I do my father here.  My Dad was so honorable to never take God’s place or role in my life.  He would still give some advice, but he truly made me grow up into a man.  It makes my eyes tear up even now…wow.  Thanks, Dad!

So now when friends talk to me about problems, I have tried to make sure to ask, “Did you pray about it?”