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The Greatest Gift

     I was flipping through the pages of my Bible when it popped out, a picture of my daughter.  The picture was from her first Christmas.  She was such a happy baby.  In fact she made everyone around her happy--it was infectious. 
     Becoming a dad was nothing I was (or for that matter am) prepared for.  Everyone I knew had told me about the practical side of parenting.  People offered advice about how much kids will cost me, eat me out of house and home, and take from me.  I was made too painfully aware of the every rising expenses of diapers, baby food, clothes, education, and other miscellaneous items.  What I was never told was how much my kids would give me.
          As we approach another Father's day, I am worried.  Once again my kids will head to who knows where (Wal-Mart most likely!) to get some kind of gift that Hallmark has deemed a necessity to go with their card giving occasion (cynical isn't it).  Over the years I have gotten some "great" gifts.  Not because of what they were but because of who gave them.  My kids have given me by far more love than I have ever deserved.  
     The Bible that I was flipping through as I found my daughter's picture was a gift from her this past Christmas.  I have many Bibles, but this one is particularly special because of who gave it to me, and what she wrote on the inside cover:
Dear Dad,
Thank you for being such a great father.  You always know exactly what to do.  You have always provided me with everything that I have needed.  I love you so much.
Love,
Rebekah Diane Simpson
     Rebekah is not a great communicator of words--she is sixteen.  Those of you who have or have had teenagers know what I am saying.  The little girl in the picture with the smile that looks like she could talk for ever is gone.  Memories of her flood my mind. . . .first days of school, running around a sprinkler that looked like a gopher, dressing up for spirit weeks, etc.  More recent memories come from teaching her to drive (and almost getting killed), being part of the homecoming court, and looking like a princess at the high school banquet. 
Though I am sad that she has grown, I now look at a beautiful young lady that has limitless possibilities before her.  The future of our children is always a major concern, but we must take to heart the words of Corrie ten Boom, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."  If our kids are going to make it in the future, it won't be due to outstanding education, or the advantages of a wealthy society.  They will make it because of love.  Of all the things that I have taught my kids, I hope and pray that they understand love is not found in an object or a desire.  It is not even found in a church (though hopefully it is displayed there).  Love, true love, is found in God, simply because He is love. 
     One man said, "Regret is the murderer of optimism and the evangelist of despair.  It breads in dark places like mold on crusted bread."  It is tempting to look back as a father with regret and despair that I should have, and/or could have done things differently.  Every parent has these thoughts from time to time, but just every once in a while I get that awesome confirmation from my kids that they understand that I love them.  That has to be one of the greatest gifts I could ever get on any day, especially on Father's day! 

I love my kids and pray that they will always walk in the Truth (Jesus Christ).

Love,
Dad

Comments

  1. Michael ElkinsJune 15, 2010 at 1:13 PM

    Hey nice blog and good post. I stumbled across it on facebook!

    ReplyDelete

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