Being a new dad has been such an amazing experience. Each day raising my son and watching him learn and accomplish something new is incredible. There is no other experience like it in the world and as hard as I try to describe it, it remains a futile effort.
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Loving a Son/Daughter
Loving a son or daughter (here on out referred to as a son just because I only have a son currently) is the most frustrating thing in the world. This small person who can't communicate very clearly will be loving, hugging and giving you kisses at one minute and throwing himself on the ground and throwing a fit the next. It's amazing that no matter how he's acting, the love I have for him doesn't change (well maybe a little, but it's much easier to love someone who is loving you back).
To imagine what God must have felt like knowing that he was sending his son to be a sacrifice on the cross is something I can't comprehend. I hear people talk about not wanting to have kids in "the world today" due to all the violence. Imagine sending your kid off to someplace knowing that he would not only be murdered, but tortured in a very gruesome way.
Admiring your Son
Not a day goes by that I don't admire my son, whether it's him accomplishing something he couldn't do the day before or telling the truth when you ask him something. It may not seem like much, but going down a slide he didn't want to go down the day before, climbing a ladder he wasn't strong enough to climb, or being honest when he did something wrong is truly amazing to watch unfold before your eyes. Watching him overcome his struggles is something you don't get to experience much outside of being a parent.
Not only did God get to watch his son go through all these struggles, Jesus also had all sorts of others tests to endure. I can only imagine the pride that God felt as he watched his son grow-up. To go through all those struggles and temptations of Satan and others and come out unscathed is more than impressive. It's something we will never be able to comprehend in our lifetimes to live a sinless life.
In Conclusion
Being a dad for 2 1/2 years gives me an entirely different understanding and perspective of John 3:16. I still can't comprehend what it was like to know how you're son was/is going to die and knowingly allow him to go through that, but the love for God had for his son, I get a better understanding each day. To truly love someone no matter what. What it means to give grace.
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