| “Daddy, tell me a story.” A young child asks as he climbs into his Father’s lap, who is seated in an overstuffed recliner. The Father immediately puts aside everything else He was doing, a smile lighting up His visage. He asks, “A story? About what?” The child pauses for a second. “You decide, Daddy. I need one of your stories today.” The Father nods, “What’s going on?” The child shakes his head slowly, seeming almost in tears. “Everything seems wrong today. I went to the store and everyone seemed mean. The lady on the news kept talking about some people fighting and others getting sick. My friends at school made fun of my new shirt.” “Please tell me a story Daddy. Please! One about you. If you want, you can include me in your story. It does not have to be much a large part of the story, but when you do that, you always make me feel special. I like that.” The Father nods again. He picks up a well-used book, thick with stories and meaning. “I think some words that John wrote a while ago are what we need tonight.” “My brother John? I like always like what he writes. He talks all about love. It makes me happy.” “My child, you know that I love you. Don’t you?” The child nods slowly. “I think so.” The Father goes on, “I love you so much and I love the world so much too.” “The whole world Daddy?” “Yes, my child. The whole world. All of your brothers and sisters.” “I love the animals and plants too. The rivers and mountains. The trees and the flowers. I created them all because of my love, my love for them and especially my love for you.” “I love them so much that I sent my only begotten son. Do you know who that is?” The child’s face lights up. “You’re talking about Jesus! I love him. He is my friend.” The father smiles and asks, “Who else is Jesus?” The child pauses and, with a frown, answers, “He is my Lord. I do not know if I really like that part.” The Father tilts His head and looks His child in the eye. “You know, how much Jesus loves you, right?” The child nods. “Almost as much as you, right?” “He loves you just as much as I do. He loves you so much that He wants to help you and guide you. He wants to keep you from the things that will hurt you or keep you away from our love.” The child nods again. “If you let Him, Jesus will guide you to what is good, what is perfect and what is beautiful.” “If I let him Daddy?” “Yes, by trusting Him to know what is best and loving Him with all you got.” “OK, Daddy. I will try.” “That is all anyone can do. I only want you to do your best. When you need help, all you have to do is ask us. When you fall short you can always come talk to me about it and we can try again.” “OK, where were we with the story?” “You were talking about my friend Jesus.” “OK. So, I sent Jesus, so that everyone who believes in Him, who loves and trusts Him, never ever has to die, but will have eternal life.” “Eternal life, Daddy?” “Yes. On that day, I will wipe away your every tear. There will be no crying, no more pain, no more fear. I will always be with you. No matter what, we can sit and talk just like this.” The child’s face lights up again. “I love that Daddy. I can’t wait for that.” “Thank you, Daddy. You tell the best stories.” The child reaches up and wraps his arms around his Daddy’s neck and hugs Him close. “You are worth it, my dear one.” The father looks over His child’s shoulder and stares at an old wooden cross, hanging by the doorway. With a tear in His eye, he whispers, “Love does not worry about the cost.” Scriptures referenced: Mark 10:15, John 3:16, Rev 21:3-4, 1 Cor 13:5 |
SDG
~rjh
Ray of Sonshine 