I’ve been a mom for quite a while, and I’ve been a daughter even longer. I deliberately strive to instill wisdom in my children every chance I get, but I’ve come to realize that some of the biggest lessons we teach our kids are unintentional.
My dad was a fun guy, he loved playing games with us. When my brothers and I were young, he had us play the “hold the bag game.” He’d shovel chop into limp feed sacks while our wee hands gripped the soft, worn burlap, each of us impatiently waiting our turn in holding the bag steady. Everyone had a guess at how many shovels full it would take to fill the bag. Miraculously, we each had a turn at being right. Even my baby brother Greg, and he was a terrible guesser.
Like any good father, my dad was a teacher. Most of these lessons I didn’t see as a child, and many I appreciate much more now that I’m grown. Do kids ever appreciate their parents’ wisdom at the time?
My dad was all about the little things:
- Stop to really look at the roses.
- Never pass a lemonade stand without contributing.
- There is always time for a game.
But one of the most significant things he taught me came at an exceptionally dark time in my life. My family was crumbling. I was powerless, watching as the future I had envisioned was vaporizing before my eyes. As we often did, Dad and I went for a drive.
Pain poured down my face. Anguish, fear, disbelief, endless heartache streaming hot. He drove. I bawled. He said not a word. Miles and miles from home, depleted, exhausted, silence filled the air.
My dad shifted the car into park and turned in his seat to stare straight into my swelled eyes.
“Tess, I’m so sorry.” And he cried. My dad cried with me.
Listen sister, this is how it is with our Heavenly Father. He always listens with compassion. And God feels what we feel. He feels our pain, and He cares. Wow. The God of the universe cares for me and for you. I’m so thankful for this.
When we empty our hearts to Him, our sadness, our fear, all of it, we can let it go. He, as promised, always listens and in return replaces everything we handed Him with his perfect peace. Drink it in. Breathe deep, let it wash over you.
This is our good, good Father.
♥ Tess
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3
The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. Psalm 116:5
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
I love that God is just there with us saying our names…staying with us through the pain even though the knows the end of the story he still is with us in the pain. Love the pictures you put on these posts – it really drives it deeper with the visuals.