No Repayment Needed

Fathers.
They are quite the amazing breed of human beings.

They give - they give cell phones, money, car rides, lectures, time, awful dad jokes, "when I was your age" speeches, encouraging words, consequences, and a heart full of unconditional love.

They don't often take, unless that is part of the punishment they are doling out at the present moment. For example, when I was in high school, I listened to what my father said in one aspect of road safety by pulling over to the side of the road to talk on the phone. However, I didn't listen to the part of not parking on the crest of a hill. And of course who should drive by when I was talking on my phone, pulled over to the side of the road, on the crest of a hill? My father - with a very red and contorted face, I might add! I was given the option of him taking my cell phone or my car. He took my cell phone, although he did not have a happy daughter for a little while because of this incident.

My father gave and gave and gave. He gave his time and his effort and his money. He was always making sure we had clothes and food and a home, no matter the job he needed to have to do so. He gave his knowledge and experience and advice and stories. My mind is chalk full of things he told me or advised me of to this day. My behavior often stems from something I remember my father doing or telling me. I never gave him anything. What could I give him? I was a child growing into an adolescent and eventually young adult. I had no means or resources by which to give him anything. I had nothing to offer. I gave him no reason to ever be indebted to me or to repay me for something I did or gave him.

But for me? How can I ever repay him for what he has done for me? He raised me with love and patience and discipline and God. He helped mold me into the person I am today. He set the foundations for what and who I am and where my life has taken me. He helped provide me with opportunities of which I could have never dreamed. Oh no, he is not in any way indebted to me - it is I who am indebted to him. Something I will never be able to repay, nor that he would wish I repay. All he wants is communication and love from me.

"'Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?' For from him and through and for him are all things." ~Romans 11:35-36
If my earthly father has given me so much and is someone whom I can never repay for what he has done for me, how much more so is my heavenly Father? He provides for all my needs. He never leaves my side. He gives me wisdom and advice and knowledge. He has given me the best opportunity and promise of all, eternal life by His side. How could we ever even dream that there is some way anything we give could repay God for the salvation and unconditional love He gives us, his beloved sons and daughters? All he asks for is communication and love and faith from me. A repayment is impossible and unnecessary. He needs nothing for all things are from him and for him. All I can do is love and believe . . .