Father’s Day Love

It was exactly what I wanted – a shiny, new blue and red two-wheeler.  For my fifth birthday, I graduated to a “big girl” two-wheeler bike.  It was time to leave the sissy three-wheelers behind.

With sheer joy, I begged my parents to immediately let me ride it. Their hesitation was justified. I was a two-wheeler newbie and for some unknown reason, those tiny, goofy training wheels were not attached to my new bicycle. Both of my parents begged me to wait until my dad could attach them.

But I was ready to blaze new trails, to reach new distances, to boldly go where no 5-year old had gone before and kept badgering my parents. Eventually, they gave their blessing and off I went.

To my credit, I managed to get four houses away before I lost my balance, fell off the bike, scrapping both my knees in the process. I limped back home crying leaving my new bicycle still at the crash site.

The minute my father saw me, he scooped me up into his arms and lovingly, tenderly comforted me. “I’m so proud of you for trying. Riding a bicycle isn’t easy. I love you, now let’s make your knees feel better.”

That was my dad. He lifted me up, protected me yet giving me wings to fly, helped me define myself when I was growing up and cherished me. And he was there to catch me when I fell, even if it was because I made a stupid choice.

Looking back, I never thanked him enough for his esteem, for the inspiration he gave me and for always extending his love. How could I?  It would have taken a lifetime.

I don’t know what your earthly father was like, but your heavenly Father comforts in the same way.  He also asks us to go one step further. We are all sons and daughters of the King who wants us to deal with each other “as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:11 – 12)

And so this blog entry comes with a challenge. Ask God to humble you and raise others up. If that last sentence gave you pause, chances are the Lord desires this to be a place to fully surrender to Him. And maybe, just maybe the Holy Spirit is nudging you…

Today, please reach out and tell someone they mean something to you. Then make a commitment in your heart to pray God will use them. Let them know you value them, that you hold them in high regard. Then pray that God will use them for mighty efforts to bring glory to Him.

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