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I am grateful for being a father.
My eldest son was born on the eve of Father's Day twenty-eight years ago. As Father's Day falls on the same day this year, memories flow out of my mind as if all these happened yesterday. Time flies and I do wish I can hold his small hand again gently. He is now taller than I with wider global experience, and thus I am contented and satisfied. Although we do not meet very often, our relationship is strong and well established. His positive character from boyhood to manhood is the results of a variety of growth and learning experience and family affection. My example as a father played a part which I believe is indispensable.
The traditional family structure today is under immense impact. Family settings in Hollywood movies are mostly damaged: divorced, single parent, missing father, alcoholic or violence, which seems “normal” in Western society. In Hong Kong, we have the scenario of increasing absent fathers due to work pressure, which affects children growth intensively. “After the Storm” was one of my beloved Japanese film last year. When Ryota, the main character as a father full of miseries, finally reaches an understanding of his family life and uses the chance in a stormy summer night to bond with his son. He tries to make memorable experiences he had with his father as a child and with his son.
Jesus taught His disciples how to pray to the Heavenly Father, which narrowed the distance between us and the Holy God. He is not only high above as the object of our worship and praise, he also listens to prayers, gives us wisdom and grants us fulfillment in daily lives. “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him” (Psalm 103:13) Jesus even described our God Almighty as a father filled with compassion, waiting for his lost son to turn back from sin. (Luke 15:20)
In reality, many grown-ups have an alienated relationship with their fathers. When they become fathers, they cannot grasp the given role properly, especially under the temptation of exceedingly high expectation towards their kids from the social norm. They become either too stringent or too lax in child raising. However, everyone is eager to be praised and honoured by his father. This urge deep down in our heart actually reflects the desire and thirst for intimate relationship with our Creator, our Heavenly Father.
Servant pastor
Rev. Benedict Shum
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