Everyday I start my day with a slow, enjoyable breakfast over God’s word, a devotional, and some prayer. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t say this as a proud person, in-fact, I do this because of the opposite. I need that time. I need to be reminded that God is with me, God is love (1 john 4:16), it is ok, life is ok, and not just ok, but good. You see, if I do not do this practice, I’m an overanxious ball of stress (that’s the technical term). By the grace of God, his Word, and reminders from Him, I can go about my day with the faith that it will all be ok, He will be there = good things will be present, Love still exists, and my life is full of it and necessary to further that love into the world. But, how I so easily forget these truths!
I was driving home after a wonderful almost week long time at my parents house for Thanksgiving. We played games, snuggled and watched movies together, went to my favorite places at my hometown, and spent many hours talking over well-prepared meals. It was bliss. I am a family person. Being with family makes me feel purposeful, worthy, valuable and beautiful. There are people to love, and who fervently love me. When the world gets heavy, when I lose my confidence, I need some family time. I’m remembered of who I really inherently am. A human being. More loved than I know and knit together with extreme care (Psalm 139). That reminder lasts, I can think back to what was said, experiences had, and dwell on those for renewal.
As I left from this particular holiday, my dad was outside so he gave me a big bear hug near my car and I was on my way. My drive took a couple of hours. I began to think into my destination; all the housework and items that will be on my to-do list when I arrive. I looked back to check and see if the lane next to me was clear, and that’s when I smelled it. A gentle whiff of the cologne my dad wears. Immediately, I was joyfully brought back to the wonderful time I had that weekend and the outstanding love of my family. My dad doesn’t wear much cologne at all, but the closeness of our hug left me with a little scent if I turned my head a certain way. It made me think of my parents kitties who happily walk around the house and love to follow and curl up on my dad. Often when I hug and pet their cats I can smell dad, even if he’s been at work all day. It is because every morning he’s the one to feed them and give them each a little love – encounters that linger all day.
This brought a huge smile to my face and more importantly to my heart. Of course if someone were to notice, I would cheerfully say “It’s because of my dad! I was just with my family and they love me so much!” Thinking on this some this week, I realized that is the same reason I begin my mornings the way I do – it brings a smile to my heart that can linger all day long. The world actively tries to distract and pull my thoughts and attention away, but God’s voice I heard either through reading His word or praying that morning will graciously be brought to my mind and I will once again be the happy child of the Creator of the universe! The daughter of Him who saves, works for our good, loves, heals, and is always by my side. If someone were to pick up on that – the difference in me – I would without hesitation be suer to blurt of “It’s because of my Dad! He loves me SOOO much!”
