I'll never forget when my wife and I first learned we were going to have a child. It was very exciting - but not as exciting as the day our son was born. Boy, did that day change our lives! I found out that life just became a lot more challenging. Setting up a nursery. Middle of the night feedings. Packing the car with a car seat, stroller and baby bags. Eventually getting a bigger car. Eventually having three children. Life definitely changed.
Having a child taught me a lot about my relationship with my heavenly Father. I began to see our relationship through new eyes. I was caring and protective of my children. I didn't want anything bad or harmful to happen to them. In fact, I only wanted the best for them. Most of all, I was and am overwhelmed with love for them. I realized God was all those things to me and more! He doesn't hate me or plan to cast me aside. Yes, if discipline is needed, He gives it but not because He detests me or is disappointed in me but because He loves me.
Hebrews 12:7-11 teaches us, "It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
I'm thankful to be a dad and I'm even more thankful to have a loving Heavenly Father!