Pointing to a Greater Love

Happy New Year, Friends!

As we enter the New Year and set resolutions, I want to share a story about noticing God’s providence on an ordinary day. I only saw God’s action later, when I was reflecting on how my own dad had come by our house to help with one of my children when my husband was on a work trip.

Resolving to make new habits can be good, and also, let’s set our foundation and sight first on how God is living, working, and providing for us as his children.

Maybe one of our joint resolutions can be to ask for an increase in trust and to make an act of faith in how our God seeks to lead us this next year, one day at a time.

Read on and I hope you enjoy—let me know in the comments if you try one of the below mentioned Kukuwa dance workout videos! And, unless you are a great dancer, I invite you to keep a good sense of humor as you move along with the instructors (I certainly have to!).

Christ’s Peace!

Caitlan

One afternoon, while my two-year-old played trucks at my feet, my older children played with a neighbor upstairs, and dishes sat piled in the sink, I danced (though you might question the word dance if you saw my movements) along to a Kukuwa African dance workout video.

Then my dad came to our back glass slider door.

“I’m doing Kukuwa African dance” I told him. “Have to find a way to work out with Ian traveling and a two-year-old at my feet!”

“Kukuwa African dance,” he repeated, probably also questioning whether or not dancing was actually occurring.

We live two homes down from my parents, and I am especially grateful for their close presence when my husband travels for work.

As my dad got ready to go home after a short visit, my two-year-old, football tucked under his arm, announced, “I go Papa. My football. Bye, Mama.”

“Can he come with me?” my dad asked with a smile (he and my youngest are two peas in a pod, or two linebackers on a line—or whatever football analogy could be used).

Because my dad loves me and told my husband before he left on his work trip, “I’ll take care of her while you’re gone,” I know he was also happy to take one of my children so I could finish my Kukuwa dance video and clean the dishes in peace.

Later that same evening, a couple of my children were melting out of tiredness. I too was feeling exasperated. My husband had been on his work trip for almost a week, and I was starting to feel it.

So, looking into the face of melting child number one, I vowed, “We are eating early and getting to bed early!” God help us all…especially, me, please, Lord.

I did indeed get dinner on early, and then said to my strong-willed six-year-old, “Okay, honey, I think your body is saying it needs more rest and it’s time to go to bed.”

She looked at me, replied, “Okay,” and crawled into my arms to be taken to bed.

That was easier than expected, I thought to myself.

When I came back downstairs, my two-year-old approached me: “Mama, time for bed.”

I stared at him. “Time for bed?” I questioned. It was only 6pm.

“Time for bed. Upstairs.”

“Okay,” I said, and picked up and laid down a second child eager for an uncharacteristically early bedtime.

The next morning as I sat in prayer and gave thanks to God for my dad’s help the day before, I realized something more. God our Heavenly Father had outdone my earthly father in provision. My father had taken care of one of my children for me in the afternoon. My Heavenly Father soothed two of my children to sleep by 6pm for me in the evening.

This is not to downplay my dad’s love, because it is through my dad’s love that I was able to see more clearly our Heavenly Father’s Love. I came to know the Father’s providence in relation to my father’s care.

As a final turn, I want to acknowledge the character of the Father’s love as merciful and attentive to our needs. He did not love me so well because I had it altogether as mother of the year and deserved a gold star. Rather, he looked and saw my need as his daughter and he provided out of his loving kindness.

God, our Father in Heaven, give us hearts and bodies to love each other out of your own love. Let our love for each other never end in pride or self-praise but always point to your infinitely greater love. Thank you for loving us so tenderly in our need. Amen.