I Samuel 9:5
‘When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, and let us return, or else my father will cease to be concerned about the donkeys and will become anxious for us.”’
Saul was fortunate, as it appears he came from a good family. While his dad cared about the donkeys, he was more concerned about both of them. Good parenting puts love into children. There is a sense that they are a delight and are important.
This isn’t spoiling them or providing a sense of entitlement. That seems to be parenting from a wrong place. Spoiling a child has the appearance of making up for something. Almost as if indulgence is used to make up for poor parenting.
Entitling a child teaches them that they are more important than others. Jesus said in Mark 12:31 that we are to “love our neighbor as ourself”. This implies that everyone loves themselves and that we are to put as much importance on seeing and caring for others. Entitling a child misses that.
The Prodigal Son’s father is a great example of a father’s love. At the beginning of the story we see how approachable he is. There is no judgment or anger. He loves his son and gives him freedom to roam. Later while the son is gone, there is the constant vigil of the father looking down the road for the his return. The Lord waits for millions to turn or return to him.
Upon the Prodigals return, the father doesn’t let him finish his remorseful speech, but gives him the fullest welcome possible. There is no “I told you so” attitude. Only love. The son expected to be treated like a hired hand. The father gave the biggest banquet imaginable. Luke 15:7 tells us there’s a party in heaven when each sinner repents.
Lord, thank You for Your fatherly love. Hopefully we’ve been good parents.