Daddy

Father's Day 2014 brings a new and greater appreciation for the caring Daddy that God gifted me with.  As I began mulling over what to write at the beginning of this week, all I could think of were cliche phrases at best-a phrase such as "Best Dad in the World."  I wanted to depict that to me-without going all adjective crazy on you- he is a wonderful dad, and that I'm thankful for him.

I'm writing a feeble, night-turned-morning-on-Father's-Day account of seven quickly unearthed snapshots of events -that were so normal and taken for granted as a girl, but so life-giving and valuable to me now-because I see these moments, some I still experience even today as pathways to thanksgiving to God!

1. Sky Aware.

He likes flying, sunsets, and the moon.  Daddy is constantly looking skyward at the slightest chop of a helicopter, the low rumble of a 747, or stellar heavenly handiwork displayed by evening light.  This "Ah! Cool! There's a massive rumbling sound in the air!!!" thought sticks with me through everyday. :)  As I sit at the park with Amanda and the kids, and I hear a plane I can't help but scan the blue atmosphere for an airplane-even if the planes are flying overhead at the rate of 1 per 4 minutes-and I like it.

2. Trails.

Daddy and Momma biking down the trails of the Cedar Valley with Anna and I in tow, is a memory that is pleasant to recall.  Anna and I always had a time of keeping up with our two bicycle-loving, fit parents.  I think the longest bike ride I  took before I was 12 was near Lanesboro Minnesota, and it was about 25-26 miles long.  Sometimes it was really great to be biking, and sometimes Anna and I would have thought to skip it; but now I appreciate it as great family-time fun.

3. Time Telling, Lefts and Rights, and Money.

Today, daddy was just "drilling" Asher about which hand was his left, and which was his right, and Asher passed the drill with flying colors at three years old (smartypants).  There were many kitchen-side drills similar to the one I witnessed a few hours ago.  "Raise your left hand, point to your right ear. . ."  I needed the practice with "left" and "right," and Anna needed the practice with her "face-telling-time," and you've taught both of us through the year about money.   Thanks for practicing these basics with us, without laughing at us, I don't know if I could have done it! :o)

4. The Treasure Tree. 

This is a book you read to Anna and I many times when we were tiny, tucked beside you, we would hear the tale of four animal friends finding great treasure when they all work together.  The stories were amazing then, but now I value the time you took to read story books, advent books, and God's Word to your daughters. Thank you for leading us to love learning.

5. Green and Yellow. 

I've been an extremely opinionated tractor observer since I was able to speak- I'm certain.  The Reed family is a "big green tractor" family, and it was always fun spotting the naughty blue and red tractors in the fields and yelling out incredulously, "That naughty tractor!"  You're a loyal hard working Daddy, thank you for working long hours to provide for your family.  I appreciate the work that you do, and I know you do it with excellence! And, I truly like the fun-spirited brand loyalty we have for John Deere.  [Gigging to myself as I write about this one.]

6. Subs, Pitas, and ice cream {and many other food adventures}.

I know, the heading for this one is broad. But we have spent a lot of time together over food, so I thought it appropriate. :)  One very big thing that happened to me around the dinner table, was a conversation about the Gospel lead by my Daddy.  God used that conversation to reaffirm my trust in Christ alone for saving me, not in my "good girl deeds," or trusting in a prayer I may have not understood when I was three when God first drew me to Himself. Salvation in Christ alone.  What an awesome time of hearing from God's Word, and being prompted to respond in faith to the Gospel that day!

Thank you for taking me on dates, to eat yummy food, ask thoughtful questions, and to give me space to talk about my life with you.

P.S. Tonight's ice cream date was really fun. :)

7. "I Spy." 

It's been a family tradition for years, whenever anyone sees something that is incredible in nature (for us, it's usually a sunset in the backyard), we say "I spy!" and it reminds us to marvel and be thankful for that gift we see right in front of us.  You'd better try this one sometime, it's a lot of fun to spot things that are marked with beautiful design in creation!

I'm grateful for my Daddy, because he leads me to wonder at little things, and then turn that enjoyment of the created, toward the Creator through thanksgiving.

Man, once I get going it's so hard to stop-- I just want to keep adding to the list of thankful thoughts for today!  My hope for you, dear reader, is that through small things (like the memories of my Daddy on this page), God would increase your joy in Himself in big ways, and that He would be magnified through your own memories of His faithfulness to you.

Happy Father's Day Daddy! 

I'm delighted that I get to spend the day with you!

John Deere Tractor Exploring Circa Sept. 27, 2008

7 Things I am Coming to Appreciate About the Calling of Parenting

Recently, I have been happily able to observe, encourage and live life with my sister and her husband in their daily journey as parents of a 3 year old boy, and a 1 year old girl.  They are both precious and I love them to pieces, but they are not "easy" by any stretch of the imagination- for either of them.  I have seen them both sacrifice so much, and I really want to honor their commitment to their relationships with their children and them as parents-they are a great team (even though they might be a sleepless team for now).
From my up close perspective- day in and day out, for 3.5 months so far- with a young growing family of four, I have come to better understand a some things about the calling of parenting,  more specifically motherhood, on a level that demands my respect and appreciation for my parents, and for those who are fulfilling their calling to the best of their ability all around me.  Here are 7 things I have recently come to appreciate about parenting.

1. I will never ever think that being a stay-at-home-mom (or a mom at all!) is the "easy route." Not Ever.

They may get to wear yoga pants on the job, but have you considered all the emotional stamina, perseverance through sleep deprivation, and creativity one must have in order to walk in the calling well?  It's quite shocking to see what mommas go through in one 24 hour period, and still have the energy for as much as a smile at the end of the day. When is that again? Cause last I checked, the babies still wake up at 1 am and 3 am and 6:30 am... I know how to pray for you new mommas a whole lot better now! :)

2. A specific time of day that children can look forward to just playing with a parent is the highlight of a child's day. 

 Kids LOVE your undivided attention, and when a parent gives it to them, they really do value it.  It just makes sense.  From an outside perspective- I LOVE hearing all the giggles, music, and encouragement that goes on during these times!  It makes my heart happy.

Thank you mom and dad for taking time to go on walks and to the park with Anna and I often!  Those times of playing "tickle bear" on the playground, or learning how to cast on the knit stitch means more to me now than you know.

3. Teething lasts a REALLY LONG TIME.

At least to me it seems like it does- I'm talking months.  That means baby is crying and upset because her mouth is on fire, she is sore in places one never wishes to be, and is generally sad.  It's long, and they can't help it.  And how parents muster the endurance to keep on comforting and hugging the baby through their pain- is definitely a grace that is given in the moment of need. 

Thank you mom and dad for letting me chomp on your fingers, chew on the pages of your books, and listening to my girlgling vibration noises. :P And to you parents who are going through this right now-there is hope, it's only a few months, and it's so worth it.

4. Some days it is perfectly acceptable to simply "do" keeping everyone in the home alive. No shame.

I think I would have previously thought that this is a statement for the weaklings, but no, it's definitely a real thing that can and might really be necessary for the most competent parents.  Life is full of give and take, and some days just seem to "take" more out of you than you can give.  On those days I offer my congratulations- Good job parents. You made it til 7:45 p.m., you may now eat ice cream and sit on couches like real grown ups might do.  Remember there is always hope for a brighter (and less crazy) day tomorrow.

 5. So much emotional energy is necessary for parenting. 

Especially for the momma who stays at home with her small children (I say that position of parenting because that's the kind I've had the closest experience with for now.) Just because your kids are the "cutest kids in the world" doesn't mean that they are unable to bother, upset, annoy or pain you in very personal ways.

Thankfully God designed mommas to be able to endure-what's more laugh at AND enjoy- many of the antics of toddlers and babies.  Spitting all over? Hilarious because the babe has had her tongue out for the past 10 minutes straight.  Hanging on the cupboards?  Let me video this moment cause little man continues to yell out "Where is meee?" while he hangs there.

6. A thought on peas for dinner.

Seriously, its an act of sincere love if a parent gives a small child frozen or cooked peas at dinner time.  The peas are entirely too difficult to clean off the floor in my opinion.  Watching my sister dispatch peas to her children, and then seeing how the clean up process goes afterwards leads me to wonder if I'll ever have the bravery it takes to give children peas inside the house someday! (You pea-distributing parents must REALLY love your kids!) ;)

I'm not sure if my momma gave me peas, I'm sure she did. But meals in general are crazy messy, and I can better appreciate the cleanliness of a kitchen -where ever I am. Someone worked hard to put it in order that for sure.

7. It all comes down to self-sacrificing, all-enduring love.

In the past 3.5 month segment of life I have been privileged to observe an obscene amount of selfless love in parent-child relationships.  The gentle word, the soft "pat-pats" on the small back, the hours of reading, and the consistent and appropriate consequences that come to the wayward little man when needed.  I could go on and on about all of the ways that self-sacrificing love shows it's beautiful self in real-life parenting situations, but I really just want to let you linger on the meaning of this one in your life-whether you're a parent or not.

My fellow believers, we have tasted of the most self-sacrificing love God demonstrates- given through Jesus' death on the cross, burial, and resurrection.

"but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."Romans 5:8

We are called to love one another deeply.

"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart."
1 Peter 1:22

How can you show that selfless love to the people in your daily life?  Parents by nature of the job become really good at this; and if you're not a parent, don't sweat it, there are so many venues to take this kind of love and let it play out for your joy, for the good of others, and for the glory and fame of God. 

It's not easy, but it's so worth every prayer, helping hand, and scrap of encouragement you can give.

A note to my Momma: 

Thank you for taking all of the complexities of child-rearing and loving me and my sisters right through those complexities.  I didn't realize how much of a daily love bearing motherhood is.  We children, often forget to thank you for your hope concern, and endless loads of dishes and laundry you've sacrificed your time to provide us with.  For this Mother's Day, I can appreciate just a little bit more about how much you gave in my youth.  You are always serving, normally funny, and ever a hard worker.  Thank you for leading by example. Thank you for pointing me to Jesus.

I love you Momma.
-Your Cally girl