He's My Dad

Yesterday morning I was running like crazy getting kids to school, taking Maddie to the orthodontist, running home to pick up Sam's forgotten lunch, worrying about orthodontist bills, and running Maddie back to school. After signing her back in I was leaving the school office a little frazzled and came face to face with the picture of my father on the wall (at Sam Thomas Elementary--named for my dad).

I stopped in my tracks. It literally took my breath away and caught me completely off guard. I cant even adequately describe what I felt in that moment. With all the hype of having a school named for my dad sometimes even the name is easier to associate with my kids' school than with my dad who played ball with me, held my hand, picked me up when I fell down, loved watching scary movies with me, played one million practical jokes on me, and loved me...to the core. I came face to face with those eyes--those eyes that always seemed to dance a little and laugh whether he was actually laughing or not. I saw that sly smile...a smile I so fully remembered and I was undone, So unexpectedly. Undone. I miss him, still, and cannot believe we actually get to send our kids to school there! He's my dad! What a dream!

As I was driving away, a spiritual epiphany hit me. Sometimes I do the same thing with God. It's easy to get wrapped up in churchy stuff, the initiatives of church, programming, meetings, the facility...and forget how personal this relationship is. He's my Dad! Thank you, Abba!