My dad was a shift worker at a chemical plant in Houston. He always worked so hard and played even harder with his kids. There were four of us, and I thought we were such a handful until talking with some of you and learning you came from MUCH larger families! Back to my dad…he loved to play with us…loved sports. There was always a game of driveway basketball or backyard football or baseball. Or he’d haul us in the back of his truck to the school tennis courts or pool. The neighbor kids would flock to our house, and dad, always in the mix, was often the pitcher, the quarterback, and always the umpire, referee, and fair settler of disputes. All of the neighborhood kids loved him. They also respected him; what he said, stood. He was an encourager, a protector, a counselor, a medic, an evangelist (led several to Christ), and so much more. Orphaned himself by five, he still had such a wonderful ability to love, connect, and father. Long after his own children had grown, married, and moved out, dad would still have new neighborhood kids knock on the door and ask him to come out to play catch or shoot hoops. And even in all of that, dad would be the very first to tell you that he fell so incredibly short in comparison to the love and compassion our heavenly Father has for us.
The magnitude with which God loves is incomparable and immeasurable. We will spend our lifetime here on earth and never fully comprehend it. He is here for us. He delights in us. He rescued us. He guides us. He blesses us. Whatever need we have, it is fulfilled in Him. All glory and honor to the Lord our God.