A Father’s Wisdom
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” – Ephesians 1:17
Being a father has truly shaped me into a better person, thanks to my children. Being there for them is a top priority. Nevertheless, life often presents unexpected challenges that divert my attention from being as present as I aspire to be. At times, I find myself entangled in other obligations, missing out on those cherished moments of quality time with my children. In other instances, I am amazed by their individual pursuits and passions. My son diligently manages two jobs while attending college online, my daughter is volunteering in Christian camps as she prepares to go back to college, my youngest is enjoying a well-deserved summer break after working very hard in school. Amidst it all, the opportunities for meaningful interactions seem to elude me.
Remaining close enough to our children to impart wisdom often is not always easy with the pace of life we find ourselves in. Yet the urgency to make our relationships better deepens as our time on earth shortens; for as children grow and venture into their independent lives, our chances to be actively involved may diminish, or life’s unpredictability may intervene.
I remember how my own father tried to share wisdom with me, though I didn’t always listen. Like that time, he warned me to wear my seatbelt, and I ended up rolling out of the car as we pulled out of the driveway narrowly missing the right rear wheel. Or the time I clumsily stepped right into the oil pan while helping him change the car’s oil right after he had warned me not to. I felt like a dolt.
My Father was full of wisdom for his son, but I was rarely in a place to understand its value.
Witnessing my father facing his own mortality remains etched in my memory. The mix of shock and disappointment upon learning his limited time left on this earth was palpable. Yet, amid his sadness, he dedicated himself to maximizing the time he had left with those he loved. Ensuring the well-being of his wife, children, and grandchildren became his top priority, and in that, he demonstrated true wisdom.
My father spent the last few years of his life making his priority giving to his family, pouring wisdom into our financial and personal lives. And, right before he finally passed, the look on his face was the same as was in the doctor’s office… there wasn’t enough time to do it all. He felt that time had robbed him, and his work would go unfinished. His family, too, shared this feeling, perhaps a common sentiment when losing a loved one. We use words like, “…gone to soon.”, or “He left us before his time…” to describe it. “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12
As a father myself, I find I have a deep desire to pass on wisdom and good values to my children. At times it feels like this desire outweighs everything else. I can’t help but imagine my own father feeling the same way, especially when I didn’t heed his warnings or follow his advice. How disappointed he must have felt when I didn’t obey, listen, or follow his instruction.
How does God, our Heavenly Father, view us? He wants to share wisdom and guidance, but often our lives are cluttered with distractions and obstacles. Our time on earth is finite. If only we could remove those obstacles, we could walk clearer paths of wisdom. Thankfully, the Bible tells us that we can simply ask for it. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5, ESV).
May you approach today embracing the value of the present moment, knowing that you are not “gone too soon.” You have time to generously share Godly wisdom and be open to receiving wisdom from those around you. Let’s be filled with gratitude and humility; knowing that our days are filled with gifts of opportunity to learn, grow, and positively impact the lives of those around us.
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” – James 3:13
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