Cheryl and I have been blessed with three beautiful daughters. We were able to gather them and their families all together in our home just after Christmas for a celebration. We learned long ago that each of them is unique. They have their own interests, talents and needs. And we are so grateful to have them in our lives and as our family.

I was remembering the years we all lived under the same roof and they were growing up. I placed many things on those three. It started with changing diapers, putting on those little outfits with the snaps, even trying to put those little barrettes and bows in their hair when mom wasn’t around. I think all of us are glad those days are over! I remember putting a flower on them for special occasions, putting a cool cloth on their foreheads when they were sick. I remember putting a flute in Rachel’s hands, a volleyball in Bethany’s hands, and countless books in Leah’s hands. I recall many times of putting my hands on them to try to ease a hurt or comfort a disappointment. I was privileged to put water and the Word on Leah’s head when she was baptized – the other two were baptized by their grandfathers. I put my hand on each of their heads to offer a blessing when they were confirmed. And then, as each of them held the hands of the man they had pledged to live with in marriage, I put my hand on top of their joined hands and spoke another word of blessing.

I also remember when the time came to send them out on their own. We did our best to prepare them (and ourselves) for that day. We tried to place things on them and in their hearts to equip them for what lay ahead. We gave them correction, encouragement, and shared the message of God’s Word with them. We tried to share God’s love and forgiveness in words and in actions. We did not do a perfect job, but we tried to give each of them the foundation they would need to be able to make it on their own.

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

If we feel this way about our children, imagine how much our heavenly Father feels about those He created. His love surpasses what we are capable of. He gives us all we need to support our bodies and lives, but that is not the best part. So that you and I would be able to make it through life, He put the heavy burden of our sins on His Son and the joy of His salvation on us.

2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Isaiah 53:6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

That is the only way for us to make it through this world and then enter into His kingdom. So that all this might happen, so that we would not have to try to make it on our own, He has put His Spirit in you to lead you to faith, to guide your in your living, to be with you always, and assure you of His unending love.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!