Walk on water

Sometimes being a father is like walking on water. I remember a few years ago my boys asked me to take them ice fishing on a frozen Michigan lake. My sons got quite a kick out of watching me traverse those frozen surroundings “like a duck!” Even though I knew the ice was thick enough to support my weight, my first few steps were cautious ones. As I carefully explored this frozen terrain, I couldn’t help but think of the story of Jesus and His disciples on the Sea of Galilee. When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they became very afraid.

Their fear soon turned to amazement as they realized that this figure who was doing the impossible was the man who had loved and walked with them every day. When Jesus spoke to them and said, ” Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid,” their fear dissolved, or so it seemed. Then there was Peter!

Just as my oldest would often challenge me, Peter asked Jesus to prove that he could trust Him. Jesus simply told Peter, “COME!”    Just as my first steps on that frozen lake were a little apprehensive, Peter’s must have been as well.   The good news is that Peter heard the heart of Jesus and he stepped out onto the water. When Peter’s steps faltered, he cried out to Jesus and Jesus reached out and rescued him. Peter learned a very important lesson that day. He learned that this man who loved him could be trusted and would always be there to reach out to him.

Being available to your children, especially when you are estranged from them due to divorce or separation, is so very critical. Children need to see commitment from the ones who say they love them. This is how they learn one of the most fundamental aspects of love, faithfulness.

During the days following my divorce, I felt that the “storm” of my situation would be impossible to traverse. What I learned was that “I could do ALL things through Christ” who would remain faithful TO ME!”   Jesus, the creator of the universe, is always present with me and in control as long as I will trust Him.

This is the message we need to send to our children today. “We will always be there for them and they can trust in that fact!” Situations such as a divorce sometimes appear to be that “perfect storm” that we all fear but if we remain faithful TO OUR LOVE for our children, we can WALK ON WATER!