Trying to be strong.
Strength defined: Fully present.
(Tears are signs of strength.)
Pride is not selfish
Of accomplishments and love.
We celebrate her.
Unknowns are unknown
Invitations to have faith.
Prayer nurtures peace.
Mom and dad met here.
Dad kissed mom for the first time
On this very porch.
You will shine brightly.
(Have shone greatly already.)
Always in His hands.
Lord, hear our prayers
As family is growing,
We Trust in Your Love.
I’m thankful for tiny hearts and their natural inclination toward being loved.
I’m humbled to recognize my tiny heart has been inclined toward the Father’s Love, even in moments I am least aware.
I’m challenged by the seasons of parenting, and how our children incline themselves toward our love in different ways, each according to season. So often I’d rather give them the love I enjoy giving, rather than the love they’re seeking in that moment.
I’m thankful for the ways we are each pursued by the Father’s Love.
I’m in awe of the tender vulnerability shown in our creator becoming one of these tiny hearts, naturally inclined toward being loved by His own human parents.
I’m honest enough to know that I’m imperfect as a father, and I’ve not shown the love my children have needed every time they’ve needed it. I’m thankful for their grace.
I believe I have this in common with Joseph, meaning Jesus has experienced the wound of not being loved well at times. Our God knows our pain. He chose to experience it purposefully, even after seeing what humanity was capable of.
Even when Jesus was being loved imperfectly by His earthly father, it was part of His heavenly Father revealing love to all humanity – which now included Him. This offers an amazing foundation for Jesus to respond in His woundedness, as one who knows He is loved.
We know nothing less of ourselves.
And so again, I am thankful.
Tiny hearts – may we continue to lean in toward the Love we have always needed, and always known.
Happy Father’s Day.
“Children”, you called out your men
Asking if they’d caught some fish
Did they wonder who this man was
Who told them sides to switch?
Did you say it playfully
With loving brotherhood?
Or did you try to draw their ire
As if up to no good?
Their response is telling
For they did not get upset
They responded, trying the other side
And came up with overfilled net
Peter threw his clothes on,
and jumped into the water
I wonder if you thought he’d come
Swimming naked as an otter
I’d love to have seen your smile
As he reached the shore, soaking
And the smile that came to his face
As he saw your fire smoking
I’m sure you hugged him fully
Soaking through your clothes
With the kind of compassion
Only a Father knows
I see you every morning
Awaiting me, ashore
I know that you receive me
With a gladness just as pure
I confess that there are days
I stay too long in my boat
Wanting to be productive
Thinking my role is to stay afloat
If I am discouraged
Or have moments a bit too wild
I pray that you’ll call out to me
And begin by yelling – “child”.
words from wick 