January 2007
PO Box 2561, Suwanee, GA 30024 Acct. #6137
404-358-6766
I was sitting on the linoleum floor picking up blocks when 4th grader Jocelyn came and sat down beside me. I really like her. She always does her homework and then will help other kids with theirs. I asked her what she was going to do for Christmas. She told me that she and her mother would be celebrating at her grandmother's house. Then I asked well what about your Dad? Jocelyn told me that he was fighting the war in Iraq. He'd been there since 2003 and he still had eight years left to serve. "What?!" I said, "has he come to visit you? Have you seen him since then?" She said, "No, but he sent me a card." She pulled out a hand drawn picture of a daddy lion with a little girl cub with the words "Daddy's girl" stenciled in. "Have you sent him anything?" I asked and she replied, "Yeah, I drew him a picture of us... but he hasn't sent one back yet." By this time the blocks were all picked up so we got off the floor and she grabbed her books and left to go home. I waved goodbye to all my kids and told them I'd see them on Monday. I pulled away and the kids chased behind my car until it was just a speck in the distance. I pulled onto the highway and thought of what Jocelyn had told me. Then I thought, what if my daddy was overseas and I wasn't going to see him for six plux years? I imagined all the things he would miss such as my birthdays, graduation, and just being there to guide me in the direction only a father can point you in. My eyes started to water as I though of how much I take my Dad and my whole family for granted. I realized how selfish I had become and how when I got home I'd try to spend more time with my family. I know this sounds cheesy but if you apply this situation to your own life I'm sure it will bring a tear to your eye.
There are so many of my children who only have one parent and Jocelyn reminded me of this. I decided that I wanted to make up for what they lacked. So when I go back on Monday I'm going to keep this thought in mind and be more of a giver.
Children can teach you important things about yourself and make you a better person if only you take the time to listen, really listen and get to know them.
Please pray that all the kids at Spring Chase feel loved this Christmas and pray that I become more aware of the prayer request of my children so I can help meet their needs. Pray that when I hear a child call on me I'll be able to help them.
Merry Chrismas everyone thank you for all of your support and a special thank you very, very much to Glover Baptist Church who helped us throw a wonderful Christmas party this last weekend!