Just try to be a father. It is both so joyful, but also possibly the most frustrating matter. Kids don't appreciate all the sacrifice and selflessness of a father. They don't realize the cost of things. They don't realize what is best for them, but only know they like sweet treats, TV shows, and more toys than any kid knows what to do with. But a father truly knows best. Well, a father who loves knows best.
Of course it may get harder for a father as time goes on. Life gets a bit more complicated, a lot more expensive, and suddenly a child has more knowledge of who they are and what life is about, and a louder voice. And dad hears more as time goes on about all he DOESN'T KNOW and all the child DOES KNOW.
There is nothing more difficult for a father than to attempt to lead a child who opposes him. Most of the decisions his child references have only one concern, and those self-seeking. But this father thinks for the present...and the FUTURE. This father thinks and acts for his child...and also FOR HIS FAMILY. He moves to decisions out of motive for MATURITY in his child, rather than just continuing to feed the immaturity of his young one.
And the one matter the child is often rather oblivious to amid the decision processes that dad goes through, is that he does what he does out of LOVE. Dad's ability to say NO to that $40 toy, may be because $40 is needed to buy groceries that month. And yet, his child is only left with the imprint of what toy was forsaken.
Being a father is much like being a pastor. A pastor loves his sheep. A pastor makes decisions on vision and direction for a church, not because he is a massive egomaniac, but rather because he sees things that the church body doesn't see and understand. The pastor has taken much time to process the present lives of the church, and what is in store for the future. He loving presents what is best for them in the here and now, and for the future. A pastor agonizes in prayer over the hurts and pains, the immature ways, the selfishness of the church members, and pleads with God on their behalf to see them all grow. He often sacrifices sleep to get up early to pray and study. He meets people to listen to them, and attempt to help them grow. He prepares a message that he will convey, that He believes God has spoken (through God's Word) that is in the best interest of those he shepherds. And amid all this, he gets much critique, and the varied opinions of these people he loves.
A father who loves his child and pastor who loves his flock, don't need the constant bickering, bitter critique, and constant "advice" from people. We just long for your understanding of our role. We do what we do because we love you and love GOD. We do what we do because we know we will give account to God. We don't claim to know or do it all perfectly. We will stumble and fall along the way. But we know GOD has called us to our position and the burden is great enough without the friction from our antagonists.
So pray for us. Encourage us. And get behind us and follow us...even as we do our best to FOLLOW JESUS! We just want you to see and know Him better. Because this is the most LOVING thing we could ever point you toward.
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