Tonight while at Carson's basketball practice I got the opportunity to help assist the coach. I was tasked with getting to help these 4-6 year old's learn how to pass. While teaching and encouraging these kids I just started talking with them about there dad's. I got to hear them cheer on there dad's even though the dad's weren't there to hear it. Really made me proud for so many dad's out there. As a new group of kids worked through my rotation I would tell them, "your dad rocks," just because (I believe we can impact kid's and their family relationships with those kind of comments). Well I had this one boy come up, cute as he could be, shortest fella there. He had this awesome spirit and peace about him that was hard to explain. When he made it to the front of the line and it was his turn to come work with me I just blurted out, "I bet your dad rocks?" He looked at me with the same peace he did the rest of the time and said, "my dad is in Heaven." Okay, so you can imagine how that hit me! I looked at him and said, "well then your dad really rocks!" and he went on to the back of the line after a high five. Well, that stuck with me. After practice I saw him leaving and I shouted out, "see you little man! Great job!" The elderly lady with him walked up to me and said, "I'm not his mom, I'm his grandmother. I have custody of him." I told her about the encounter I had with her grandson during practice. She started to tear up and said, "well, his father isn't in Heaven. His biological father is alive, but he say's that because he knows his real dad is God." I told her she was doing an amazing job with him and she thanked me and she went on.
That hit me so heavy because I just got to experience an innocent child refer to our Heavenly Father as we all should. He didn't recognize an earthly dad first and then use God as a filler in his life, he saw God as his first dad, in his case maybe his only dad, but to him that didn't matter because he had a peace that said having God as his Father is all that mattered. WOW! Right?
I talk with God everyday and call Him dad as we talk, but tonight's moment with that little boy has changed me forever. I pray I get to know my Dad like that little boy knows him. I pray my boys see God as their true Father and see me as second. If your a dad, I just want to say to you, know our Heavenly Father as that little boy does and show your kids Who is even greater than you, me, any of us so they always find comfort and peace like that little guy has.
May our Dad bless you!
