Providence

*I can safely say my dad will not read this – he knows nothing about computers. The guy’s emotional enough, he doesn’t need to see this :) *

I think this was taken at Christmas. My dad looks on as I open my gift. Probably a coloring book – I enjoyed coloring, even though the kitchen table got more colorful than the pages – sorry mom!

Dads always enjoy watching their kids find joy. My dad loves to see his kids joyful.

 

 

 

That did not mean, though, that dad spared us from the experiences – unpleasant as they may have been-  of life.  If my dad didn’t push me, I'd still be sitting on the sides of swimming pools, afraid to go in. I recall begging him to to let go of me. He’d say, “Relax, I’m right here.” In reality, all my squirming just hindered my ability to swim.

Or the times he’d say in frustration, at his wits end, “Why do you have to be so stubborn?

To which I’d reply, “Why do you not get it?”

Of course, his famous last words were, “ Oh, I get it!”

When I think of dad,

I think of Jesus.

I find it ironic that dad’s shirt says ‘providence.” Today, Good Friday, providence meant that Jesus would be killed, by the very ones he came to save.

On Sunday, the third day, providence for me means I will one day be with the Lord. Whole.