Father's Day

In our family we simply have no ability to wait when it comes to gift giving. Christmas usually comes to our house around the 20th and our "birthdays" usually fall on the day after gifts have been purchased. As a result, it was no surprise when I was sat down to receive my Father's day gifts last SATURDAY.

Each child lined up to present the gifts they had for me. My kids are still young, so gifts are all made at school. A very stressed out Jack was first. He was working hard to hold his gift together since he had wrapped it with a giant piece of construction paper and had overlooked the use of tape. I was grateful of this gap in his process as the paper was an elaborate art project on it's own. One side had Jack and I walking through a field holding hands. I'm tall and thin with an abnormally large head (Jack is a realist) and he with his orange hair. The other side was a detailed battle between the world's greatest superheroes and some unnamed baddies. He knows what I like.

I have failed to mention the gift. A highly decorated Frisbee that followed the immediate request of a "Frisbee appointment" later that evening. I was happy to oblige.

Calvin was next. He had a flawlessly wrapped gift. It was a small, red, cube-shaped package that had Father's Day wishes written in printing that shouted "I was done by the teacher!". Offering the traditional "Cal, what did you get me?" his reply was an excited "I don't know, I can't remember!" It seemed that me opening this gift was filled with anticipation for both of us!

As I opened his gift he saw the blue sparkly paint of the little box and laughed excitedly "I remember! It's a box" and re-presented the expertly painted, assembled, and again printed box to me with great pride. It was obvious that he might have picked up a paint brush during the creation of this gift - but little more. He was thrilled.

Taylor's gift was still coming. Emerging from the basement (where my printer resides) I was presented with a certificate. It seems that I am a #1 Dad (sorry to all of you who thought you were in the running). It was designed and printed by him and signed - in cursive! He was proud of his work and I was touched - and taught.

When Taylor handed me his gift I had a dawning moment. Each of my children had used their strength and gifts in order to honor me. Taylor is a tech guy. He isn't particularly artistic, but he can do computers - and write his name in cursive.

Jack is our resident artist. He spend hours perfecting his craft. Even as a young child he was a perfectionist when it came to expressing himself. It is what he is best at doing.

Cal on the other hand...he isn't particularly artistic and at four has limited computer ability. What he does have is an uncanny power over people. It is no surprise to me to recieve a gift that someone else produced. I picture his preschool staff burning the midnight oil to make sure that Mr. Calvin's project was done by the deadline and up to his standards (which as of now included gluing a dump truck to the lid). I wouldn't be surprised if my life is a series of gifts produced by assistants.

What I discovered is that each of these gifts meant the world to me because it represented the best of each of them. As a Father, I celebrate who they are far above anything that I might "like".

I think God feels this way. He is a Father after all. We work so hard to try to offer God all of the "churchy" things because we think those are the only gifts He wants. Truth is, I think He wants us to use our gifts to the best of our ability. When we act in who we were created to be - we honor Him.

Ministry to people means that we help them discover their unique gifts and then introduce them to a Father who celebrates the use of their uniqueness. He doesn't need another preacher or more songs (unless of course that is who you are). He needs you to be you.

The world is waiting for what you have - and maybe He is as well.