Our son, Jack recently acquired many new friends this past year since entering the wonderful world of kindergarten.  So many friends, never enough play time! Its been quite a long time since we’ve had a houseful of young people playing Nerf guns around every corner of the house. It’s also been a year of getting to know these precious gems and their families.  Since Jack’s dad, Brian usually arrives home in the late afternoon he gets to play right along side the boys as well.

About two months ago, one of the boys said to Brian, “Wow, Jack is so lucky to have a dad. I wish I had a dad like you.” Brian was speechless…I think we take for granted the people in our lives when they are such an every day presence that we forget how special and unique they really are.  I know I did with my dad. It wasn’t until I had children of my own did I realize how incredibly brave, hard working, patient and loving my father was to each of his six children.  Being a parent is one thing, being a parent to six is a whole different ball game! I commend and deeply respect my dad for getting up every day, every year for 40++ years to provide for us.  A man of total commitment to his family; a rarity in today’s world. He never wavered in his commitment to us! I would be a horrible wife if I didn’t mention that I am blessed to be married to Brian, a man of the same deep commitment to his family.  He is an easy man to love and adore…I can’t recall him ever complaining about his commitment and his constant love for his child and three step children.

The little boy I mentioned above came to Brian just last week and said the say thing to him. Brian asked me, ‘what do I say to him?’ My reply was, “Tell him he does have a Father, the same Father we have.  A Father that has loved us since the day we were born. A Father who never forgets us. A Father who hears every word we pray. A Father we can depend on and will never, ever let us down or leave us. A Father who cares and comforts us through our deepest fears and darkest nights. Just share your Father with him. Our Father will do the rest.”

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.  “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:1-5, 10