The other day my wife, Kim, said she woke up in the middle of the night feeling warm. She was able to get back to sleep, but then a little while later it happened again. Finally, she checked the thermostat and it was set several degrees higher than she usually sets it at night
The next morning she mentioned it, and our son, Matt said, “Yes, I was a little chilly so I pushed it up a few degrees.” Kim waited for her mom to say something, but Gramma didn’t. You see, Gramma is in charge of the temperature in the house. When Kim and I were both kids, one thing you DID NOT do was touch the thermostat! Even as an adult visiting my folks, I left the temperature alone, or else!
After Kim told me the story, I asked, “And Gramma is all right with Matt monkeying with the darned thing?” Kim smiled at me. Then I said something I have been thinking about for a while now. “You know, when Jesus taught us to pray, it was ‘Our Father, who art in heaven’ and not ‘Our Grandfather…’ Do you know why? Grandparents are too easy!”
Grandparents usually don’t have to get tough when the kids step out of line. They leave it for the parents. Grandparents are usually more indulgent than parents. Grandparents are usually mellower about certain things than parents. I know I am not speaking for everyone, and am making something of a grand pronouncement from only personal experiences and observations, but it is true that our Father in heaven is not an indulging, doting, easy to please, and slow to upset stereotypical grandfatherly/grandmotherly type.
God is love! – 1 John 4:8
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! – 1 John 3:1
God’s love takes many shapes and sizes and all circumstances and conditions. God embraces us when we are hurt and grieving. God enlightens us when we are confused and upset. God has saved us forever through Jesus Christ. God also rebukes, scolds, takes us to task, and forgives us 70 times 7 times. The Old Testament writers had a word for this: Go-el which literally means protector/redeemer/one who cares for/our closest relation. That is the Father in Heaven. He is our redeemer, savior, creator and protector. Sometime He even has to help protect us from ourselves.
Steve Nofel is co-pastor at Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church in Cortez.
