The Seeking, Searching Father
A commentary by Robin Webber
United Church of God pastor, Redlands and San Diego, CA
Posted June 18, 2009
 Father's
Day is a wonderful occasion for every father to reevaluate his relationship
with his children!
As a pastor, I often share the following story about a father's
love for his son—even after that son disappointed him by choosing
to travel a different path.
Sound familiar to anyone?
As I begin, I need to ask each father this question to frame the story:
How satisfied are you with your role as a father? If you measure up
to the father in the story, then well and fine.
But, if at this moment in time you don't quite measure up, know
that our Heavenly Father is able to grant you the where-with-all to
fill such shoes. So stay with the story to its conclusion and for some
final thoughts.
A child desperately in need
A Quaker family lived in Pennsylvania. Against his father's wishes
Jonathan ran away and enlisted in the cause of the North during America's
Civil War. Time passed and no word from Jonathan. One night the
father dreamed that his son had been wounded in action and needed the
care of a father.
So the father left the farm, discovered where the troops might be and
made it to the scene of action. Finding the commander, he asked about
his son. The commander explained that there had been heavy action earlier
in the day and many who had been wounded were still in the trenches. But
he gave the father permission to look for his son and explained to him
where the action had occurred.
A father's search
It was dark. So the father lit a lantern and methodically combed the
scene of action. At first that wasn't fruitful. Then he began
calling loudly, "Jonathan Smythe, thy father seeketh after thee." Again
he would walk a little way and call, "Jonathan Smythe, thy father
seeketh after thee." A groan could be heard here and there and
someone would say, "I wish that were my father."
He diligently kept at his search. Finally he heard a faint, barely
audible reply, "Father, over here"—and then, "I
knew you would come."
The father knelt down and took his son in his arms, comforting him
with his presence. He dressed his wounds, took him in the buggy to a
secluded place and nursed him back to health. What a father!
The everyday role of a father
Fathers often rise to the greatest of needs when emergencies strike—just
like this Quaker father. But how many fathers fill the needs and expectations
of their loved ones on a day-to-day by basis?
If you are having a hard time finding your moorings regarding this "fatherhood
thing" and feel down and out, I've got some really good
news for you.
Do you realize that your own Heavenly Father is seeking you out right
now to be the kind of father that He desires you to be? And He provides
just the advice and guidance you need to steer you in the right direction.
Restoring what's lost
One of the greatest teachings of Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry
is about the God who searches and seeks after those who call upon Him
as their Father.
In Luke 15, Jesus shares three incredible stories about seeking after
that which has been lost and is precious. The stories are meant to build
upon one another as Jesus moves from the one lost sheep vs. the ninety
and nine (verses 4-7), to the one coin missing from the ten (verses
8-10), to a father's ultimate one-on-one encounter with his prodigal
son (verses 11-32).
Each story describes the struggles of the search and the incredible
joy of finding that which had been lost and was subsequently recovered.
Christians in today's world often take these stories for granted,
not fully appreciating the initial mold-breaking revelation in Jesus' teaching
of a Father that doesn't simply demand of the creation, but desires
to seek and search after us even when we are lost—and yes, down
and out!
Do you need to turn over a new leaf?
If you have been losing your way as a father and feel lost as to the
priceless role of parenthood, the good news is there is a way of return.
Like the Quaker father, the Father above is patiently saying to you, "(fill
in your name), Thy Father seeketh after thee." Yes,
He is right there in the thick of the battle with you in the challenging
task of molding the next generation.
 For some practical steps towards being the father that God wants you
to be simply download our exceedingly helpful free booklet: Marriage
and Family: The Missing Dimension.
Related Resources
Where Have All the Fathers Gone?
A devastating epidemic is leaving a trail of broken hearts and broken
dreams in its wake. What is this tragic outbreak? It’s the epidemic
of disappearing fathers, who are sorely needed.
Does Father Know Best?
Research shows that children without a father tend to be less settled
and more insecure. Now is the time to break that cycle of distant and
damaged family relationships wherever they exist.
Playing the 'Dad Card'
Fathers, you may not realize it, but you matter more to your daughter
than any other man. Why is that? Why is it so important to her future?
And how seriously do you take this crucial responsibility?
The Importance of Dad
Where is dad in today's family?
Do You Know Your Dad?
A physical father is a type of our spiritual Father. How can we come
to understand our spiritual Father better?
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