We had a wonderful Father's Day weekend up at the cabin. Addlea called on her way to church to tell her dad Happy Father's Day. We had two Jim's and an Aaron at the cabin who were fathers. Kristin's father is named Jim and so all three opened their presents right after a nice breakfast of pancakes; with designs and chocolate chips. The kids bought their grown father a small toy remote control boat. It has been the joke a few times and Addlea asked me if he was serious? I said it didn't matter, it would make a fun gift for the cabin. They took it out on the water and had a great time with it; we haven't tried to how far across the lake it will be yet but I'm sure there is time for that. When we got home last night we had family Bible study in the living room and after it was all over, Addlea came over to her dad and thanked him for being such a great dad and then in return he said, "Thanks for the boat." Addlea didn't miss a beat. "You're welcome, you paid for it." She then went on to add, "you paid for the orange slices too." One of Jim's favorites is orange slices.
I was reading on Facebook this morning and saw Michelle's comments about her dad and his picture. Our dad's were good friends and both are in heaven. Both dad's would do just about anything for their kids. Both dads, well, I'm pretty sure Mike did too, paid for their own Father's day gifts in a round about way.
If I were to buy a gift for my father, now that I'm older, it would be probably more common sense than when I was younger. But there is something refreshing about the gifts children buy their fathers. I really thought my dad needed a new saw. I had $5 and bought a beautiful wood handled saw. I still have hanging in my garage the velvet picture of a bull I bought my father for his last Father's day. We know what everyone got him because he wrote it on the back of the picture. I wasn't living at home then, so it my dad really didn't buy that gift. Why he would have wanted a velvet painted bull I have no idea, but it was a good idea at the time.
Life down here usually means someone has to pay for the gift. Sometimes when you're the parent, you buy your own gift in a round about way. As a parent, it's fun because the gifts coming through the love eyes of children say love like nothing else can; often good for nothing except the "I love you Daddy" that they bring.
Many times I say thank you to God for what he gives me and in the very same breath I have to say, "you paid for it." I thank him for the freedom to worship; God paid for it with the life of his son. I thank him for forgiveness; only made possible through the blood. I thank him for second chances; once again only made possible because Jesus rose again. We are thankful for the gifts we cannot purchase regardless of the amount of money we have. I have been blessed so much; God provided it. I have so many talents; God equipped me. I have so many life long friends; God directed our paths to cross. I have been pulled up the mountain by God's hand and kept from falling down the other side by his arm around me. I have struggled to get across the river and been thrown a life jacket of mercy. How can I say thank you when I know the price God paid, but then again how can I not say thank you when I know how much it cost God? I am forever grateful for a heavenly father who not only knows the gifts I need but also has unlimited funds to provide them. I need to quit worrying about the 'stuff' in life and just start opening the gifts that lie with my name on them. My gift to God in return cannot be bought with an earthly price. No matter what I do, I cannot bargain enough to offset what God's done for me. Those are the times when you simply step back and say "let me live for you." For all the blessings, all the gifts, all the angels of protection flying above me, all God wants me to do is simply "live for him." Don't make it harder than it is, don't make it complicated, don't try to sugar coat or understand, just live for God and let him give, give and give. For those of you with Father's Day piles in the closet of unique gifts that have no good use here on earth, remember it's the thought that counts... and perhaps you have a life time supply of white elephant gifts!!!!
I was reading on Facebook this morning and saw Michelle's comments about her dad and his picture. Our dad's were good friends and both are in heaven. Both dad's would do just about anything for their kids. Both dads, well, I'm pretty sure Mike did too, paid for their own Father's day gifts in a round about way.
If I were to buy a gift for my father, now that I'm older, it would be probably more common sense than when I was younger. But there is something refreshing about the gifts children buy their fathers. I really thought my dad needed a new saw. I had $5 and bought a beautiful wood handled saw. I still have hanging in my garage the velvet picture of a bull I bought my father for his last Father's day. We know what everyone got him because he wrote it on the back of the picture. I wasn't living at home then, so it my dad really didn't buy that gift. Why he would have wanted a velvet painted bull I have no idea, but it was a good idea at the time.
Life down here usually means someone has to pay for the gift. Sometimes when you're the parent, you buy your own gift in a round about way. As a parent, it's fun because the gifts coming through the love eyes of children say love like nothing else can; often good for nothing except the "I love you Daddy" that they bring.
Many times I say thank you to God for what he gives me and in the very same breath I have to say, "you paid for it." I thank him for the freedom to worship; God paid for it with the life of his son. I thank him for forgiveness; only made possible through the blood. I thank him for second chances; once again only made possible because Jesus rose again. We are thankful for the gifts we cannot purchase regardless of the amount of money we have. I have been blessed so much; God provided it. I have so many talents; God equipped me. I have so many life long friends; God directed our paths to cross. I have been pulled up the mountain by God's hand and kept from falling down the other side by his arm around me. I have struggled to get across the river and been thrown a life jacket of mercy. How can I say thank you when I know the price God paid, but then again how can I not say thank you when I know how much it cost God? I am forever grateful for a heavenly father who not only knows the gifts I need but also has unlimited funds to provide them. I need to quit worrying about the 'stuff' in life and just start opening the gifts that lie with my name on them. My gift to God in return cannot be bought with an earthly price. No matter what I do, I cannot bargain enough to offset what God's done for me. Those are the times when you simply step back and say "let me live for you." For all the blessings, all the gifts, all the angels of protection flying above me, all God wants me to do is simply "live for him." Don't make it harder than it is, don't make it complicated, don't try to sugar coat or understand, just live for God and let him give, give and give. For those of you with Father's Day piles in the closet of unique gifts that have no good use here on earth, remember it's the thought that counts... and perhaps you have a life time supply of white elephant gifts!!!!
