A Father And Child Share A Unique Love

June 15, 2003

Kallie was supposed to stay all week.  For three days my vivacious granddaughter and I played every game imaginable.  Her favorite thing to do was play “school.”  I learned a lot from Kallie’s playing school.  Being in the first grade qualified her to be the teacher and me the student.  I could never make above a “C” on my papers.  I asked why and Kallie responded:  “Because you didn’t use your imagination!”

Our bedtime story one night told of a child doing the right thing, even though he faced tremendous opposition.  Kallie interrupted and said:  “Mawmaw, that takes real courage.”

Yes, Kallie taught me a lot in just three days.  On the fourth day, Kallie began to get homesick.  She missed her daddy.  She longed to be swept up in her daddy’s strong arms. She longed for the security of his presence.  Just knowing her daddy was near brought her extreme happiness and made everything right in her world.

Lane must have sensed Kallie’s loneliness.  When she heard her daddy’s voice on the phone, she exclaimed with great enthusiasm:  “I love you, Daddy!”          

The drive to her house normally takes two hours, but Lane met us at the halfway point.  When Kallie saw her daddy, she ran into his open arms with joy.  He swooped her up and smothered her with kisses.  Then she presented him with a poem she had written for Father’s Day:

My Daddy

I love you so much for all you do.

You make the world better and you help me

With homework too.

I feel safe when you’re around and

I thank the Lord for

Putting you on the ground.

You make me feel better

Just talking to me.

You’re the best Dad.

Can’t you see? 

From

Kallie

Kallie taught me a lot of things about a father’s relationship with his child.

            An absence of time spent with my Father creates a loneliness in my life and I find myself, like Kallie, longing for the security of his presence.  Being too busy for meditation and prayer time robs me of many blessings.  My day doesn’t go as well and I feel a void in my life.  I try to solve problems on my own and I am not successful.  I need wisdom and guidance:  “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him”  (NIV).  I long to be in his presence and hear his voice.  He speaks to me through John 14:1:  “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God.”

            How this simplifies my life.  With God I can live one day at a time, enjoying each moment.  I can be as joyful as Kallie, knowing my Father is right beside me and that makes everything all right in my world too!