“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8 NIV).
“But the fruit of the Spirit is … goodness…” (Galatians 5:22).
“You be good while I’m gone.” My Dad would say to me as he departed for work. “Take care of your mom and little brother. You’re the man of the house until I return.” He’d continue, while looking me in the eye and slapping me on the back.
At seven years of age I felt no hesitancy in responding to this awesome assignment. “Yes Daddy. Don’t you worry. I’ll take care of ’em.” I’d say, while sticking out my chest.
But sometimes I would take the “man of the house” part too literally and my mother would have to set me straight.
“I don’t think Daddy meant that you were to boss us around.” My mother would say, punctuating each word with a pointed finger. “So, you better calm down or I will tell your father when he gets home.”
“Nooo!” I’d beg. The worse thing my Mom could do is report to my Dad that I’d failed in my task of filling his shoes.
You see, my idea of being a “good boy,” was pleasing my dad. He showed me what is good. I just tried to be like him.
Our Heavenly Father has shown us “what is good.” He created the world and called it good. And when our sin caused the image of God in us to fall, and with it all of God’s good creation, He sent His Son. Jesus shows us what is truly good. His goodness is available to us. We can receive it and we can display it to a fallen world.
It’s kinda like He’s saying, “You show my goodness to this world until I return.”
Sounds familiar to me.
One of your best blogs; made me miss Daddy and long for Heaven. The picture is perfect. I will strive to show my goodness to this world until HE returns!!!