“God
is like a father to us, tender and sympathetic to those who worship him." ~ Psalm
103:13
For Joe, country roads brought back
memories of simpler times - camping trips, picnics, and visits to Grandma's
farm. For a while he was a child again –
exploring, probing, and living in the moment.
He loved hearing the birds sing, seeing wildlife roam their natural
habitat, smelling fresh air and just enjoying nature’s quiet, natural beauty.
Up ahead, Joe spotted an old bridge crossing over the Dismal
River. A distant memory stirred ... from
back when he was an Indian Guide. Every
fall their tribe made a three-day, 50-mile canoe trip on Nebraska’s wildest,
youngest, and most undeveloped river.
On a hot day you could cup your hands a take a draft of the
cool water. The banks had been alive
with nesting ducks taking advantage of the shade provided by tall trees. Herons waited, poised on one leg, patient as
the breeze; patient as the river itself.
There was one year he’d never forget. Dad dropped him at the launch with the rest of
the tribe, made sure his life vest was secure and said goodbye as the flotilla
set off.
Joe stuck his paddle into the river, pulled hard, then
lifted and stroked again. Before long
he and his canoe partner had a good rhythm going. He wished Dad could see him now.
About a mile downriver they came to an old suspension bridge.
He looked up and there he was. His Dad stood right in the middle of the span.
He didn’t shout instructions or do
anything awkward. He simply waved until they
passed underneath.
When Joe looked back, Dad was gone. Maybe he’d just imagined him?
But several miles later, at the
next overpass, Dad was there again. And several
after that.
It turned into a game. The whole tribe began looking for him. Every time they rounded a bend that day
someone shouted, “There’s Mr. McDaniel!”
They all waved now, but no one was happier to see him than Joe was.
Dad had taken a chance and gone
the extra mile to show Joe his love. He
never forgot that feeling.
Now as he drove across the
bridge, he imagined Dad standing there, waving, encouraging him. Joe thought of the nightly prayer he’d said
when his own kids were younger, asking God to “Help me be the kind of Dad my
children need.”
As a parent, you've probably received a small taste of how
God feels as "our Father in Heaven." When parents look into the face
of their newborn baby, they know they’ll always go the extra mile and love that
child no matter what. That's exactly how
God feels about us, despite our failures or squandering what He's given to us.
Father God, bless those fathers who’ve taken
seriously their parenting responsibility and especially those who are doing it
alone. Strengthen all Dads by Your love
that they may become the loving, caring, role models You meant them to be. Amen
