June 21, 2015… Happy Father’s Day!

   Getting an unexpected video or pictures of our grandkids on the computer is always the highlight of any day. Shanda, Al’s daughter, is usually the one who is close at hand with her phone ready to snap the photos or take movies of the kids. She knows how much we appreciate them and how they seem to help shorten the distance between Springville and Detroit!

     A couple of short videos arrived in the email inbox a few weeks ago of our son-in-law, Chris, teaching Nate (5 ½) how to ride a bike. We had watched Nate progress from a tricycle to a pedal-less bike which he pushed along with his feet and then to his current bicycle with training wheels.

     This was his first attempt at riding on his own without the help of the training wheels. Shanda was standing in their front yard close to the sidewalk, taking the picture as Nate rode by, his little feet going round and round on the pedals. He was protected by a helmet on his head and also by Chris who jogged along by his side, making sure that he didn’t fall over or veer out into the street. We could hear Chris encouraging his little son as they passed by her.

     “Come on! Keep going straight. Ok, now stop here. Stop here!”  Nate stepped down hard on the brake and glided to a stop, smiling and looking happy.

     “Good job, good job,” Chris said, clapping and grinning.

       The movies captured the perfect picture of a father who cares about his son and at the same time is helping him gain some independence. Having Chris beside him the whole time gave Nate the confidence he needed. We watched them several times, appreciative of the fact that our grandchildren are growing up with such supportive parents. Knowing that there is a loving father beside them will help carry Kendra, Kevin, Nate and Elliot through the hard times and launch them into a successful adulthood.

       Later that day came another email from Shanda. This time it was a photo of Chris lying in the hammock with hands behind his head, Nate on one side and his youngest son, Elliot, on the other. All three were cuddled together—a peaceful way to end a busy Saturday.

        When the time comes for our four grandchildren to think about spiritual things, it will not be hard for them to envision God as their loving Heavenly Father or to believe that He will always be with them, guiding, protecting, nurturing and loving them unconditionally just as their earthly father has done. I pray that they each might have a vibrant personal relationship with Him by accepting His Son, Jesus Christ, into their hearts and being spiritually reborn as God’s children.

     

      May we this Father’s day give honor to the dads who are doing a wonderful job in raising their young ones and to God, our loving Heavenly Father. It’s time to put our trust in Him. He loves us!

“This, then is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”Matthew 6:9-13 NIV