Give Thanks Day 5

As the day begins for me, I would like to express my thanks for some specific blessings that God has brought my way over the past couple of years. The first came my way six years ago. The next came three years ago. The last came two years ago. Today, I would like to thank God for the boys that He has allowed me to be father to.

I can remember many moons ago asking God to give me at least one son. He chose to bless me with three! Little did I know how much God would use these three boys to reveal so much about myself. You've probably heard people talk about how children favor this parent or relative. While these boys do have some of my physical characteristics, I see a lot of my "inner characteristics" in them (and that might not be so good).

Over the past six years, God has on many occasions said to my heart as I would get on to the boys about something, "Look familiar? I think I know someone else who throws a fit when they don't get their way... Or who doesn't want to listen... Or who just wants to do it their way." Time and time again I hang my head as I realize that God is using these treasures to show me myself before Him. I'm not sure that I would have seen some things in my life as clearly as I have through my boys.

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Insights From An Impromptu Playdate

Yesterday, as I was getting ready for what I knew would be a very long day, my 5 year old comes up to me, grabs my hand and leads me to his bedroom without saying a word. When we get to his bedroom, he stops, turns around, looks up at me and says, "Daddy, will you play with me?"

What do you say to that??? Those blue eyes just looking and waiting for an answer. I will tell you what you do: you play!

I knew that there were many things that I needed to do yesterday, but none of them were so important that I had to let my boy down. As we played with Batman action figures, I felt the Holy Spirit speaking some insights to my heart.

Don't get too busy to play with your boys. I shared recently in a sermon with the church I serve that the greatest way to spell love is T-I-M-E. Sure there are things that need to be done and responsibilities to take care of, but if you have so many that you can't play with your children then you have too many!

Now you're feeling a little of God's heart. For some reason, those Batman figures that would have held my attention for hours on end many moons ago were not so special. What was special was that my boy took me by the hand, pulled me aside and wanted to spend time just with me. For a moment, I shared the heart of God when His children take Him by the hand and say, "how about some just You and me time?" How it thrills His heart when we give Him undivided attention. He doesn't need it but still is blessed by it.

Be alert and ready for the lessons that may come your way today in the most casual and ordinary ways. The God who adores you is trying to speak to you. Will you hear him?

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