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    I really wanted her to be mean. Well, not really, but when you’re angry with a teacher that you think may have been overly harsh with your child, it’s always a lot easier if they are green, mean, and have red beady eyes and horns. This was not the case. She was respectful, pleasant, kind, cooperative, and clearly informed.

    As nearly all the teachers at our Christian school know by now, I’m irrational about my kids. It’s not that I can’t see their faults. In fact, I can see most of them because they learned them from me. I don’t want to be blind to their faults and failures. I don’t want to be in denial like so many parents are. But, I know how much my kids try. I’ve seen all the things they’ve given up so they can do well in one area. I’ve witnessed all the effort they’ve put in to succeed. I don’t want them cheated, taken advantage of, or even short-changed. Yep, you guessed it: I’m irrational about my kids!

    As I drove home from this parent-teacher conference, I thanked God for kind teachers who love the Lord and their students, and do their job on inadequate pay. I thanked God for this teacher. I spent some time evaluating exactly how I conducted myself, and again acknowledged what we’ve already affirmed: I’m irrational about my kids!

This is the way God is with me!

    As I wrestled with my conscience and evaluated my point of view, I came to two conclusions about my irrationality. First, I’m supposed to be irrational about my kids, I’m their father. Now of course I don’t mean being blind to misbehaviors or totally unrealistic about their abilities. What I mean is, that I’m my children’s advocate. They are my children and I’m going to fight for them. I’m going to do my best to make sure they have a fair chance, and on cantankerous days, I’m going to push for them to have an unfair advantage. I’m going to discipline firmly, but in love, believing that this child of mine is not only capable of better things, but is actually better than his or her behavior. I’m going to see how hard they try, find the best in them, and affirm them for what is good. I’m going to cheer for them at their sporting events, swell with pride when I see them study Scripture, and hug them when I can without embarrassing them. I’m irrational about my kids!

    Second, as much as this is true of me, I’m struck with the awesome realization that this is the way God is with me! Our heavenly Father is irrational about us, his kids. O sure, you can call it grace, compassion, tenderness, faithful love, or a host of other things. But, this one thing is true: as much as I love my children, as much as I try to bless them and protect them and encourage them and forgive them and call them to greater things, God does so even greater with me. And when asked why by the hosts of heaven, his answer remains the same: “Because I’m irrational about my kids”

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me. ... “How can I give you up...? How can I hand you over...? ... My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. I will not carry out my fierce anger... for I am God, and not man.. . (Hosea 11)