Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Happy Vallatimes Day, Dad-I forgive you

Last week, my 6 year old daughter, Gina, spent a lot of time making a card/drawing for me. When I was leaving to go to work, she asked me, "Dad, don't you want to take it to work with you?" I said sure, honey. So I took it and put it in the car.

I returned home in the evening and was sitting on our bed. Becki came in and said, "Your daughter spent a lot of time and effort making you that card. And when she went out to the garage, she found it on the floor in a pile of mud." Then Gina came in, with giant tears streaming down her face, crying very hard.

I felt just awful. Awful. It didn't matter that the card had fallen out accidentally. I had crushed her feelings. So I held her in my arms, hugged her, told her I was sorry, and asked her to forgive me. She said she would.

Later that day, she asked me what my favorite colors were. I said blue and red. She said that she would make me another card, in blue and red. The picture you see is the card that she made me. "Dear dad. Your the best dad in the world. I love you so much. Happy Vallatimes. From your datter. Gina Nored. I love you. (heart, heart, heart."

What a sweet, precious child. I'm glad that she forgave me. It also made me think about God's forgiveness. We often take his gifts and throw them on the floor. But he continues to forgive us. And he makes new gifts for us everyday.

What gifts from God do we take for granted? Why does he keep giving us gifts?

5 comments:

penguinsandladybugs said...

Aren't kids absolutely wonderful? Her innocent little heart so quickly forgave you for your little boo-boo!! I love the metaphor of God's love, too. I teared up a bit reading your post :)

James Nored said...

Penguinsandladybugs,

Glad this life story spoke to you. Yes, children are wonderful. I read some of your blog. Our secretary here once used to do investigation for child services--not an easy job. My wife is also a big scrapbooker. And I liked your "100 things about me" post. I may have to add that to my blog.

Thanks for coming by!

Mr. E said...

One Christmas my wife took the kids to the Dollar Store. They didn't have much money to spend of gifts for us, so she took them there to look for a inexpensive gift for "Mom & Dad". My daughter knowing that I loved Kool-Aid, bought me a large plastic pitcher to make Kool-Aid with. It was a very sweet and thoughtful gift.
Another Christmas she gave me a key-chain of a "female" golf-ball wearing a pink hat, with bendable arms and legs. I still carry it around in a pocket of my jacket.

Mr. E said...

By the way...penguinsandladybugs is my Dear Wife...Mr. E! I love her very much!

JB said...

I love your story. Kids are awesome and so genuine. I am learning that every time I am around my 5 year old nephew. His love for God and others is so exciting. They are so smart and take nothing for granted. You are right....our love and willingness to please God should show everyday. I have a feeling that I break God's heart most days. (not on purpose of course). But he is always there with his arms out waiting to forgive me. That's the love we need to show one another. Your daughter forgave you because she has an ultimate love for you that can only be found between a parent and child. It is awesome to have a Father like God. I can't help but think about the Jeremy Camp song, "I'll Take You Back". Good Stuff....thanks for sharing.