As you know I have teenager. Its always something. Help with Algebra, help with his computer, where are my shoes, I need money. Its always something! This morning it was “Where is my wallet?”.
ARGH.
Man, I wanted to react like this:
Matthew 17:17 (New American Standard Bible)
17And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.”
But knowing that what I am doing as a father is showing him his heavenly father, I had to look past that. Yes, there are times to overturn tables with a teenager. And Jesus took the approach with those who held him in complete contempt. But most of the time his approach is more like this:
Matthew 7:7-11 (New International Version)
7“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Yes, God is patient with us. He is OK with us asking. He is ok with us bringing it again and again and again and again and again and again and again etc etc. Just ask he says.
Man, if I could just be that kind of father, and friend.