Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
– Genesis 6:22

My brother and I stared at the hole in the wall and then turned to each other, the same fear mirrored in our eyes. Our mom had warned us not to play on the rocking recliner in the basement for fear that we would harm ourselves. But a game we invented – the rules are complex, but know it included a very impressive balancing act on the rocker – had gotten out of hand. The recliner had slammed back leaving a large hole in the drywall.

The climb up the stairs to tell our parents what had happened was one of the longer walks in my life. I have calm, loving, and rational parents. But disappointing them and facing the consequences left a pit in my stomach that I can remember to this day.

Luther’s explanation on prayer in the Small Catechism begins with, “God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children.” I often reference this teaching when one of our youth asks me what fearing God means. God is all powerful and for those who reject Him, like those who ignored Noah’s warning, that is truly fearsome. But for His beloved children, His followers, the fear is more akin to not wanting to disappoint the most loving, wise, and grace-filled parent we will ever have. A parent who only desires what is good for us.

My parents gave me a fair punishment, forgave me, and patched up the wall. How like our loving Father that is! Forgiving His children and repairing what humanity keeps breaking through the atoning death of His Son. May we, like Noah, honor and obey our loving Father.

Prayer: Father, teach my heart to love, honor, and obey you. Remind me that all you do is for the good of those who love you.

Daily Reading: Galatians 3

– Contributed by Hannah Hayden