Jesus said:
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. This, then, is how you should pray:
Our Father in heaven…  .
Matthew 6: 7-9
God wishes to be our Father. But what is a father like? Some see Him as a figure in a fairy tale.  Others compared him with their own earthly father full of mistakes, weaknesses, and failures. We see the true Father, our image of Him is only right when we are free of above wrong attitudes.
But often young girls are easily snippy against their fathers and the boys often aggressive. And, indeed, the fathers are unfortunately not perfect. They have their faults and defiencies. Some fathers really have more an image of hell than of heaven. But some fathers, praise the Lord, really represent God`s will and their children have no problems to call them father. What a blessing is such a father!
Of course the mother has to help her husband to be a good father. How the children should respect the father if she does not love him?
God has created the human being as man and woman and together they are the image of God. God represents both and therefore father and mother have to be honored. Our Lord is more fatherly than any earthly father and more motherly than any mother. We only have a veritable image of our parents when we are able to forgive their imperfection and frailty. This might take time. It depends on our decision whether we want to forgive. Gradually our Lord will then heal our hearts and our forgiveness will become more and more real. The fruit of our forgiveness will be that we understand and learn to love our parents inspite if their weaknesses. And suddenly we realize that we can accept God as well as a loving Father. That might be for some people a hard way off, but Jesus will help. It is not impossible for Him to change us if we only want it.
Once having finally found God as our Father all bible words will become alive, will give us hope and love: “As a father has compassion on his children so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.”
These words can only be comprehended by those who value father and mother and knows that God loves him. Yes, God loves you!
Thank You, Jesus, with You forgiveness is possible!  I want to forgive and You will help that it will become real. How soothing to know that You see all our weaknesses and has revealed to us that without Your help we cannot forgive. How wonderful that through You we may see the Father full of love and mercy. Yes, unshakable I will believe that He has created me, loves me, wants to give me the best, has mercy on me. I am of great value to Him.
Bible reading today – Genesis 2