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Living In Grace

A Christ inspired work dealing with American Christian Culture in the New Century.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Word Wednesday:We Are Not Perfect

2 Samuel 14:24
And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face.

As I have read that story in the past I often focused on the drama, violence, and betrayal playing out in the King's household like a bad B-movie.  I mean there was intrigue, deceit, and murder among the King's sons with enough adventure to keep an adrenaline junkie hooked.  
I am now older and as a father with three young boys I see the story from a vastly different perspective.  All the same elements are still there but now other things have drawn my attention as the Lord reveals new aspects of the Scripture to me.  

Dads, we are not perfect and we never will be this side of Eternity but I honestly wonder how David, a man after God's own heart, could let such things happen in his house.  The rape of his daughter, the lack of justice to the rapist, the murder of the perpetrator ( his son ), the rebellion and deception of Absalom, and finally the death of Absalom.  It really is almost to much to comprehend.  

How could a father become so disconnected from his family that would allow that to happen?  How could Absalom return to Jerusalem and David not see him for years?  How could a son become so resentful and rebellious that he would want to murder his dad and steal his kingdom?

I want my relationship with my kids to be so involved and God-centered that things like that will not happen in my family.  That my sons will grow up respecting me and their mother, that a love of God will be instilled in them that will last a lifetime, and that they will love and protect each other.  I pray that the time we spend together will nurture and grow them into young men full of integrity, honor, and that God will save them unto Himself.  

One thing Dads that I want to reiterate; we are not perfect.  We will mess up, we will drive our kids crazy, and they will think that we are insane, but we must never lose the ability to say, " I am sorry " and " I was wrong."  We must acknowledge our failings and be real before our kids, our wives, and our God. 

Lord, help me today to be honest with my family.  Help me to be a man of integrity and allow my children to follow me even as I follow you. Amen

 

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1 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love reading about David, because he was so far from perfect but yet he was a man after God's heart. I love remembering that when I fall.

I don't think you have to worry about your relationship with your sons. I can tell you and your wife love your kids dearly. I think the reason David was so disconnected was that he had how many wives and concubines?? Whatever the amount it had to cause disconnect. It's not the way God intended. I just look at the problems blended families experience. I couldn't imagine what it would be like with many wives all in the same house.

June 8, 2011 at 9:39 PM  

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