Post It Note to God

Dear God,

Thanks for giving me a daddy. You knew just what I’d need! In case you need to make daddies for other kids, I thought you might like to know what I like best about the one you sent me:

He knows everything (like how to tie shoes and drive a car)
He is really smart (he can make my mom laugh and get out of trouble)
He is brave (once he killed a snake in the garden)
He has a forgiving heart (for when I mess up)
He is loaded with patience (he probably won’t need it, but just in case...)
He is my friend and plays with me
And he tells me all about You and Your son.

Your friend,
Karen

P.S. I almost left out the best part! A good dad has real strong arms (to catch me when I fall. He says You’re just like that, too.)

Peace Like a River

I attended a funeral yesterday and was struck by the display of grief from those left behind. Namely, a 13 year old son, heartbroken over the loss of his daddy.

I have always been moved by the story of Horatio Spafford and his penning the words to "It Is Well With My Soul" while visiting the watery grave-site of his four daughters who were lost in the Atlantic. My favorite verse of the song is as follows,

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

How beautiful to think that Christ Himself regards our heartache. There is something in grief that connects us more closely with our Maker. Maybe it is that when our hearts are broken, it makes more room for Him to come in. I don't know.

The Pastor giving the eulogy spoke familiar words, "Thank God for Jesus. We couldn't make it in this world without Him."

As he spoke, my mind drifted to Adam and Eve and what it must have been like for the perfect love they had and were experiencing to be suddenly ripped out, leaving them fraught with insecurity and void. Forever since, mankind has been searching for love and acceptance and meaning and satisfaction. Searching for Eden, really. To know and be known and to love and be loved.

How wonderful that out greatest need was God's greatest desire for us; that we would know Him and love Him and know His great love in return. To me, this is the fragrant melody that Jesus calls out to each of us and when life plunges us below the surface, we hear Him singing into our souls "peace like a river."