Yesterday was Father’s Day. Due to some extended family medical challenges, my wife spent the day providing care and caring for them. This left me and my two sparkling daughters to spend the day together! Morning was spent with household projects in heat and heavy humidity. The day took a turn for the better as we all took showers and headed to town for a few errands and some shopping.
Later that afternoon, I thought about how I would like to spend Father’s Day and realized that I was doing just what I would have chosen to do- spending time with my girls! From Lowe’s for building supplies, to the mall for girlie shoe shopping, to Walmart for whatever, we had a blast! I just enjoy being a father to them! How blessed can a man get?
While they did share some tangible things with me later last night, I realized that simply enjoying the privilege of being Dad was reward enough itself.
I love watching them grow!
I love watching the light bulb go on when one gets a joke about five seconds too late.
I love catching the sparkle in the eye right before one makes a witty remark about my ever-whitening beard.
I love the [hopefully joking] elbow in the ribs when I’m bugging them too much and the arms lifted to encircle my neck whenever and wherever they feel like it, no matter who’s watching.
I feel proud and humbled when I hear them quote things I’ve said or copy things I do, whether humorous or serious. I love watching their minds work as they realize new things about life and love, God and grace. I love to love them and to see that love freely and joyfully returned.
I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, 1 Chronicles 17:13
Would you like to guess who said this? It is God speaking about David! Just like I do with my two jewels, our Heavenly Father longs to establish and maintain a close parent/child relationship with us. A connection that He never, NEVER, wants to go away! If I find such joy in the time I spend with my girls, how much more must my Father long to spend time with me!
Father, Dad! Thank You for the love you pour on me, not just one day a week, or one day a year, but every day and all day! Let me see that love clearly in my life. Let me not only return it freely, but share it recklessly with those around me not just one day, but every day. Let me copy You. Let me look like Your Son because that is what I am!