Becoming a Battle Ready FatherSample

Conducting Rescue Missions

Have you ever sinned against your children in your anger? They got outside the lines and you lost it. You felt guilty and apologized. In the postmortem, you wondered, "Why in the world did I do that again?" We have all been there. I believe one key reason we find ourselves in that spot is due to a wrong perception of our role as a parent.

When correcting our children, how do we see ourselves? Are we the referee, the policeman, the principal, the sergeant or the judge? To be fair, at different times in different ways, we play each of these roles. However, I think there's one role that we should play more often. The best metaphor I can think of is that of a Coast Guard rescue pilot.

Can you picture this person? The pilot is wearing the safety helmet with the glare-reducing visor as he steers the cross-emblazoned orange chopper. A wide array of tools is at his disposal - stretchers, emergency flares, life preservers, and first aid kits. He has deep experience in search, rescue, extraction, and emergency medical procedures. He is armed, ready, and well-trained.

I love this picture of my role as a parent. I should wear protection because the work I'm doing is dangerous. I should be trained because the stakes are high, physically and spiritually. I should be constantly ready to jump in the chopper on a moment's notice since I cannot predict when my child may get in over his head.

Perhaps most importantly, I must realize that the mission is search and rescue, not seek and destroy. My child is not firing bullets at me nor did he involve himself in the reckless behavior just to put me at risk (or ruin my date night with his mom). Instead, he is awash in a sea of worldly temptations and threats, and I might be his only hope for safety.

Sure, once we get ashore, I might need to administer justice if he ignores the rules and puts himself or others at risk. There may be consequences. But, to keep my anger in check, I need to realize that he is not the enemy. He is the one I need to save.