Every time I sit down and write to you, I always begin with “I wonder what I will say to the kids today?” The follow up question is always more demanding than the first. “I wonder if it will have any meaning or impact on their lives.” For me there is no real way to know which thought of the day will be helpful to you and which will be an “ah hum.” I don’t know about other parents, but there are so many incidents and experiences in our lives that have such a profound impact, that we want to share them with you, so you will see life from our perspective. You and I both know that is not reasonable nor is it the way God intended life to be. Nonetheless, it never changes my desire for you to know what I know and understand what I understand, however insignificant the knowledge might be. I guess it is a part of wanting to leave some of one’s thoughts within those we love for their journey. Like any parent, it is a search for significance in the lives of those we love so deeply.
When I think about being so blessed with nine children (Psalm 127) I realize how over the years, I have had to do the same things over and over again. With you older children, the tasks weren’t conducted as well – there was less patience and rational reasoning. However, with the younger ones, some of the things began to fall in place because of the evolution of responsibility of obligation to a deeper understanding of what truly comprises love. In Isaiah 28:10 it says this: “He (GOD) tells us everything over and over— one line at a time, one line at a time, a little here, and a little there!” I am assuming that He blessed me so I could do this nine times instead of once or twice. I’m still not sure I am getting it right. However, I know that I love each of you more, the more time I spend with you. I know that every moment I spend with you, I relish as insignificant as you may see it. I know that one of the few things I try not to forget are the words you say to me. And I know that I treasure your love more now than I would ever imagined I could. Your lives are truly significant and important.
So, as I think back and wonder what I will say to you when I write these words, one thought keeps coming back to mind. The idea is that when each little event occurs there is significance. With each life lesson there is an opportunity for growth. With each encounter there is more of God offered to the essence of who you are – if you are willing to see Him. Even as each event is important, each revelation is more important because what you see is temporary (2 Corinthians 4:18) unless it pertains to love. Recording them in a journal is excellent because you can review and pray over the experience. What trumps it all, is what those small events do to your heart and how they give you small course corrections if you are open to them. The more repetitive they are, the more Father God is trying to get your attention. I guess you could say God needed to teach me to love you the way like He loves me. I hope the love I have given you will, in a small way, show you how much God loves you and cares for your eternal soul. If you have felt His love, there is significance.
Love Dad