Gifted

So, Ben surprised me with this little gift.  Super cute.  I wonder what compelled him to think of me when wanting to give this to me!  If he is hoping that he wants more brothers and sisters to climb on me and yank on my ears, forget it, it isn’t happening!  Or is it that he sees me as a big dog looking over and protecting my pups (Norah and Ben)?  Or does he see me to be like a mothering dog?  Or does he see me as the big dog unfazed with the chaos of child raising that is overwhelming me?  Or does he see me as a dad willing to get on the floor with the kids and play with them?  Or maybe he got this to encourage me?  Or maybe he's telling me that the kids are walking all over me?
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I think I am overthinking it way too much!  Most likely, he just got it for me because he thought it was cute and knew that I’d have this figurine on my work desk.  To be honest, doesn’t really matter what he thinks about me.  That sounded careless!  But really?  It doesn’t matter what Norah or Ben think about me.  Because I know I am their dad.  And I would do anything for them.  Sacrifice it all in order to give them a better life, a strong self-esteem, and to be an example of what a good father should be.  I will always be their father and they will always be my children.

As a matter of fact, doesn’t matter what they think of me or really anyone else!  I think to often we can overthink way too much what other people think about ourselves.  We wonder what their “intention” was or might be suspicious of people around us.  We wonder too much whether we are liked by others or disliked by others.  But in the end, it doesn’t matter what other people really think about you.  No matter what all people need to know only one thing.

God loves you.  God is cheering for you to make the better choice when life becomes a burden and struggle.  And even if you fail to make a better choice, well God is there to pick you back up.  God is your Father, and you are His children.  No matter what.

If you find yourself struggling to build relationship with people.  If you think you are unpopular with your peers.  If you find yourself being judged more than being rejoiced, then I know that’s got to feel difficult.  But no matter what.  Whether you view yourself as a sinner or saint, hated or loved, gifted or taken, God is by your side, telling you that you are His child that he will love no matter what.  After all what parents wouldn’t sacrifice their all for their children?  Even if it came down to your life or theirs.  Children come first.  God sacrificed His life for yours.  God granted you to be forgiven and you can live a life that is forgiven and give that gift to others.  This week I encourage you all to be encouraged and to encourage others.  

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