“Jesus answered, “What I’m about to tell you is true. The Son can do nothing by himself. He can do only what he sees his Father doing. What the Father does, the Son also does. This is because the Father loves the Son. The Father shows him everything he does. Yes, and the Father will show the Son even greater works than these. And you will be amazed.” John 5:19-20 (NIRV)

Brian and I are the proud grandparents to two very special little people. We are new to this grand parenting thing, but as you can imagine, one of the joys of grand parenting is not only the grandkids themselves but watching your children become amazing parents! (There are days throughout their life that you can’t imagine them ever picking up after themselves let alone, being responsible for someone else!) We have been additionally gifted in watching our son in law be an incredible dad. With great care and patience he leads the way on so many adventures for an almost 2 year old. The little guy just follows in his footsteps. Have you watched a small child trying to keep up to his dad as they walk down the path? The dad’s giant, long strides and the child’s quick, little running steps just to keep up trailing behind. I remember going wherever my dad went. Most of the time it didn’t matter where he was going, it was special to just be going with him.

All of us are walking a path. All of us leave footsteps behind. What direction are our footsteps headed? Who is following our footsteps?

When the kids* were little, Brian desired that they be exposed to different kinds of food. Along with hot peppers, he thought a taste for sardines would go a long way for them in life! He would get out his can of sardines, and make a big fuss about what a delicious treat he was going to have. They would gather around him and clamor to be the first one to get a bite. They all shared the same fork, Brian individually doling out a precious sardine into their mouths like little baby birds. As they got older, they graduated to their own forks, but still they shared the same communal tin. It wasn’t so much the eating of the sardines that mattered, but the bonding that was happening in the sharing. (I’m sure part of the allure was grossing mom right out of the room with the smell!)

The influence a parent can have is quite amazing isn’t it? We all have people who follow in our footsteps. Our footsteps are creating a path. Whether we intend to or not.

The process is sometimes flawed in our earthly families. Sin makes a mess of lots of things. For some, it’s hard to imagine a dad that we want to follow. The Bible tells us/shows us that we have a father who loves us so much and is leading the way.

We have a perfect Heavenly Father whose footsteps we can follow. Jesus showed us how. Jesus followed His father’s footsteps.

God the Father is intentional about the path He wants us to follow.

As parents, grandparents, and influencers in children and young people’s lives we are reminded that we are setting an example whether we want to or not. Those special people in our life are following our example, good and bad. We can be intentional about the footprints we are leaving, the path we are directing. As children of God, we will know that path by following God our Father. We have the responsibility to make sure our footsteps are following our Heavenly Father’s footsteps. If we turn our eyes from the one we want to follow we may follow in someone else’s footprints and leave behind footsteps we didn’t set out to leave.

As I remember the adventures with my dad and the strange bonding that happened in our family and as I watch my grandson follow his daddy’s footsteps, I am reminded of this unbelievable trust that is available to us. I followed my Dad because I knew that he loved me.

Our heavenly Father loves us beyond our understanding! He knows where He’s going and what He’s doing. We don’t have to carve out a brand new path. God, our heavenly Father has planned the route. He’s given us great big footprints to step in, to avoid some of the unnecessary mud and stumbling.

Our footprints don’t always lead perfectly. But, our heavenly Father’s does.

On this unique Father’s Day, follow in His footsteps.

*Only 2/3 of our kids have a taste for sardines and hot peppers still today. We were too busy and pre-occupied by the time the youngest came to intentionally pass on this delicacy. ;)

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Nancy Varga is the Family Ministry Director at Amberlea Presbyterian Church