Emphasis Preaching Journal

Believers have tried on many images for God, from "rock" to "judge" to "builder" to "ground of being." None speaks to the complete reality of one who is beyond language. But the most enduring image, and the one Jesus himself used, is that of parent.

Parent works. It reminds us that we didn't create ourselves, that we are free but obligated, that God loves us beyond measure but not beyond caring, that God sees us clearly and confers both consequences and forgiveness, that God remains at the table, no matter how painful it is to be in our presence.