Parenting With Patience

Read Time / 2 Minutes

Theme / Personal Reflection

I’m in a movie club with some friends where we get together once a month to talk about a movie or two. This month we watched There Will Be Blood, a movie about an early 20th century oil tycoon. During the movie, this oil tycoon, Daniel Plainview, runs a family business with his son, but upon his son losing his hearing, Plainview ships his son off to a boarding school for the deaf. The moment in the movie stuck with me as a father. What a horrible challenge trying to communicate with a child who has no hearing, and likewise impossibly trying to imagine sending your child away at such a young age. The next day during my bible reading, I read the following:

“12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever Amen. ”

- 1 Timothy 1: 12-17

The juxtaposition of two fathers. Daniel Plainview, who loves his child but struggles to parent through the challenges of deafness and ultimately casts oC his son for personal glory. Our heavenly father, who sent his son to die for us, not because we deserved it; rather, because we were sinners and fall short of His glory. Often times in parenthood, I imagine myself being like our heavenly father: loving, selfless and perfect to my children, when I’m likely often like Daniel: selfish, rigid and a sinner. I’m reminding of the practicality and intentionality of our God. I will never be a perfect father to my children. I will have moments of insolence, ignorance and ultimately need His mercy because I am a sinner; however, by showing my kids the love of Jesus, they can have a perfect father. A father who loves them endlessly, even in their foolishness. Who has infinite grace and mercy, and paid the ultimate sacrifice for them.

I can show my children the perfect father, and at the same time strive for the image of my perfect father. Giving strength and encouragement, giving mercy for their ignorance and sins, overflowing with grace, exercising patience and constant in worship for our Lord and savior. Amen

Nathan Carroll

Registered Assistant

208-918-8655

nathan.carroll@christianwm.com