A Swimming Lesson
Yesterday was Father's Day (June 18, 2017). A day I really do not like- hate even. A day that I wish was not on the calendar because all it does is bring bad luck. Now I don't hate Father's Day because I had a bad father. Quite the opposite. My father was a good father. I hate father's day because it is one of those fake holidays we have created.
Nothing changes on this day. I still get up, get my daughters ready, feed them breakfast, go to church/work, then come home. Only this time we went swimming- another past time I do not cherish. However, my wife and oldest daughter enjoys it so that does bring me some joy seeing them happy.
Yesterday, had its dangerous moment though. My wife just finished taking a picture of our daughters and our friends' daughter and son. I removed myself with the youngest child and my wife turned around to talk to her friend when our oldest daughter went for a swim.
By God's grace I turned around and noticed she was missing. I yelled at my wife who then reached in the pool and pulled our daughter up. This whole thing happened in probably a span of 5 seconds. "H," my oldest, came up gagging and coughing. She is only 3 1/2 years old- not capable of swimming yet.
We then put her swim floats back on her and she was fine the rest of the time. Around 8:30 that night though, she got sick and vomited in our living room, our kitchen floor, our bed, and our bath tub. (Only one of those four places is recommended.) We have been watching her to see if she shows anymore signs of dry drowning, but all has been good today. (Thanks Jesus.)
Sometimes I forget how a small decision can have a big impact. Too often I make a decision without processing the potential consequences of my action: "Who else does this effect? Why am I choosing this path? Is there another option?"
On a more spiritual side (because I know you are wondering that right now) sometimes we are all drowning and are in need of being rescued. My wife saved H's life. Had we kept not noticing, she would be dead right now. And we would be those parents people talk bad about- "It's the parents' fault. They should have been keeping an eye on their daughter. What kind of parents do that?" I wonder if the same can be said about God? If God is our Heavenly Father/Mother/Legal-Guardian would we say that about God?
"Look at how Jeremy got into drugs and sex. It's like God didn't even try to intervene. What kind of Father does that? If Jeremy was my kid he would be grounded until after he got married?"
Nothing changes on this day. I still get up, get my daughters ready, feed them breakfast, go to church/work, then come home. Only this time we went swimming- another past time I do not cherish. However, my wife and oldest daughter enjoys it so that does bring me some joy seeing them happy.
Yesterday, had its dangerous moment though. My wife just finished taking a picture of our daughters and our friends' daughter and son. I removed myself with the youngest child and my wife turned around to talk to her friend when our oldest daughter went for a swim.
By God's grace I turned around and noticed she was missing. I yelled at my wife who then reached in the pool and pulled our daughter up. This whole thing happened in probably a span of 5 seconds. "H," my oldest, came up gagging and coughing. She is only 3 1/2 years old- not capable of swimming yet.
We then put her swim floats back on her and she was fine the rest of the time. Around 8:30 that night though, she got sick and vomited in our living room, our kitchen floor, our bed, and our bath tub. (Only one of those four places is recommended.) We have been watching her to see if she shows anymore signs of dry drowning, but all has been good today. (Thanks Jesus.)
Sometimes I forget how a small decision can have a big impact. Too often I make a decision without processing the potential consequences of my action: "Who else does this effect? Why am I choosing this path? Is there another option?"
On a more spiritual side (because I know you are wondering that right now) sometimes we are all drowning and are in need of being rescued. My wife saved H's life. Had we kept not noticing, she would be dead right now. And we would be those parents people talk bad about- "It's the parents' fault. They should have been keeping an eye on their daughter. What kind of parents do that?" I wonder if the same can be said about God? If God is our Heavenly Father/Mother/Legal-Guardian would we say that about God?
"Look at how Jeremy got into drugs and sex. It's like God didn't even try to intervene. What kind of Father does that? If Jeremy was my kid he would be grounded until after he got married?"
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