For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
This verse has made me reflect a lot this last week. It’s an amazing verse that can provide so much comfort wherever you may be at today. Out of the many names of Jesus we have studied and lifted up we come across, Everlasting Father.
Initially, my thoughts brought me back to my own earthly father, the late Ronald LaFrance. I never really got a chance to know him before he passed away. My parents got divorced when I was in 5th grade and as a family, we had many dysfunctional situations that occurred before this time. My father passed away just over 17 years ago. Sadly, I couldn’t tell you if he was a believer. I pray he was. For many years growing up I was searching for a father. For many years after he died I was still searching for one. It wasn’t until 8 years after my earthly father’s death I truly met and started focusing on a true relationship with my Everlasting Father. I had an earthly father but he is gone.
Fast-forward 17 years to today. I’m a husband to Jennifer and father to Jackson (9), Marshall (5), and Gianna (18 months). I try to model to the best of my earthly abilities how to be our Heavenly Father for my family. I fall short daily in many ways. My daily prayer is to close the gap between what we read or hear in His Living Word and how I personally act and say. What’s in my heart and who am I living for? The difficult part to imagine at times is just like my earthly father who passed away, so will I.
The greatest part of this reflection of being a son who spent many years searching for a father, and now spending years trying to be the best earthly father is that we have an Everlasting Father who is there always. An Everlasting Father that whether you grew up with your dad or not or if you are knocking it out of the park as a parent or have messed it up, you have an Everlasting Father that will provide everything you need and everything your children will need.
You have a Father forever. Someone who has known you even before you were born and will be there even when our midst of time on this earth passes, waiting to tell you, “well done“.
This week like only God can do I sat in church thinking about our everlasting Father. What were some of the scriptures shared? Verses about our Everlasting Father, verses about prayer. Thank you, God, for your perfect timing always.
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:36
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:15-16
Isaiah announces the birth of our coming Father. As an Everlasting Father, he will show unconditional love, concern, and care for us. This will never stop.
Dear Dad,
You are the Father of Eternity. You care for us, love us, and will be present for us forever. I had a father but now he is gone, I am a father, but I will be gone too one day. Please help me to tell and show others that we have an Everlasting Father just waiting to provide us with eternal life. We just need to call on you, turn away from our sins, and love you.