Thinking about my dad

My family stays pretty busy, so we almost never celebrate holidays when they actually occur.  This year, my sister's birthday and Father's Day both fell on the same weekend, which also happened to be the first weekend of my parents's vacation this summer.  Don't worry, we celebrated a week ahead of time and I remembered to wish them happiness on their actual special days.

I am so happy that my parents are enjoying exploring the US and seeing new sites and taking time off work to be together.  They both work soooo hard and are the greatest examples I could have asked for.

Yesterday at church, during our prayer time, we were led to reflect a little on Father's Day.  The pastor mentioned great memories we have of our dad's, perhaps some of the great gifts they've given us - just like our Heavenly Father has given us the greatest gift of all time...the gift of life through His Son, Jesus.  I don't discount this truth at all and I can never express my thankfulness for that gift of eternity!!  My earthly dad gives great gifts as well.  One of the things that stands out to me is his generosity.  What really sparks my memory, when I think about my dad though, is the TIMES we've had together.  While he gives great gifts, the gift of his time is my favorite.  Family dinners where I laugh so hard I cry...exploring Civil War Battlegrounds...watching movies...sailing...bike rides...Ocean City in the summer...and the list goes on.  Dad, you are the best! (I know so many others think this about their Dad too.  Isn't it great how God knew just the right Dad for us?  I so enjoyed reading all the posts on FB yesterday.)  (And not to leave my mom out - I didn't post on Mother's Day.  She is the MOST hard working, genuine, tenderhearted, smart, caring, God loving and fun women out there!!!  I am soooooo thankful for her as well!)

So, back to church yesterday.  I focused more on time with my dad rather than the great gifts he's given me, and then applied this to my Heavenly Dad.  The gift of eternal life is central to it all and it brings me to the fact that because of this great gift, I can actually spend time with Him.  Because of the gift of Christ's sacrifice, I can have a real relationship with my Creator and Father.  He actually pursues ME to spend time with me.  How crazy is that!!  The idea that the God of the Universe desires to spend time with me and have a relationship with me is more than I can fathom.  Just think on that for a second...He sees the depths of your heart, the good the bad and the ugly, and still runs to you.  He accepts you and LOVES YOU just as you are.  Sit with that joy today!!