The Lord's Prayer

"Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." Matthew 6:9-13

One of the earliest memories I have of my father happened at the same place where my pajamas caught fire*, and at around the same time. The warm sun rays invited me to play in the front yard that afternoon. After I exhausted my imagination playing with rocks and sticks, I sat on the ground, just relaxing and enjoying a cool breeze. The view from the hilltop was fascinating. I could see the rooftop of the church right in front, the clinic at the left side, and the big white building at the right side. Looking up, I could see pine trees all around the little village. Who lived in the forest? Birds, squirrels, skunks... my imaginary trip through the forest was interrupted by a strange invasive feeling all around my little body. I was sitting on top of an ant colony, and my instinct told me to run. In my frantic race I didn't know where to go but I do remember my dad picking me up and taking me to the washing pool in the back of the house. He disposed me of all my clothing and gave me a quick shower which got rid of all my little enemies.

My father was my protector, my provider, and my role model. He was my spiritual guide until his death. When he introduced me to the concept of God as our father, it was easy for me to understand because my dad was already modeling God's character as best as he could, and I knew he loved me.

I now want to talk especially to dads. I know you love your children and would do anything for them, but THE BEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE TO YOUR CHILDREN IS TO LOVE THEIR MOTHER.

Just remember how easy it was to love her when she caught your eyes the first time you saw her. How easy it was to love her when you were dating. How easy it was to love her when you said, "I do" and heard the most exciting command in the universe, "now you may kiss the bride."

It was easy to love her in your honeymoon. It was easy to love her when you were expecting your first child. And then your love multiplied every time a new one arrived. But then she needed to focus her attention in your children and take care of them as a mother instinctively knows how to do. Naturally you became the provider and the ultimate hero for your kids. However, what happened to that beautiful bride you saw coming up the isle? She may get tired frequently, she may get moody, she cannot go out as often as before. But you still love her.

The years pass like an afternoon breeze. Your work demands your attention and with the excuse of providing for your family you add more hours to your frantic schedule every week. Now you can't take her out as often as before. Now it's harder to remember birthdays and anniversaries. She starts to feel abandoned and alone. You feel rejected and unappreciated. You still love her but feel a pain in your heart. How are you going to get rid of that pain?

Do not cut her off! When you married her the two of you became one flesh (Mark 10:7-8). Would you cut your knee just because you injured it playing football? Would you cut your arm just because the pain is too much to bear after that injury with the hedge trimmer? Of course not! You treat your injuries and find ways to heal the pain.

In the same manner find ways to heal your emotional pain. Find ways to keep your marriage together. I found out that the best medicine for emotional pain is forgiveness. That's the remedy Jesus prescribed for us when he said, "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

How can we forgive? We can't. Forgiveness is a gift from God, but we can receive it just by asking Him for it. Additionally, there's a good chance that you have also offended your wife. Most probably, you neglected her. You didn't protect her as you should have. You didn't care for her as much as she needed it. You didn't love her enough. You must ask her to forgive you too. Try that every day and you will have a happy wife, happy children and a happy life.

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation;
But deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.

Music by Albert Hay Malotte

*I talked about that in the "The Gift of Love" devotional.