Tip of My Iceberg

He’s been known to do whatever is necessary to bring a smile to the face of a child–especially if they’re his grandkids. From putting his socks on their hands as weird puppets to buying donuts on special occasions, like “Over-the-Top Tuesday”, which is just any ordinary Tuesday. He tells stories of moo-cow armies and Super Pudgey, a special dog with superpowers.

Papa has a style all his own.

The kids see him as safe, funny, and generous. No matter the age, he always has time for them, always enjoys them, and always seeks to make them feel good about who they are.

I tease my husband a lot about how he has the littles at his beck and call. He’s beyond patient with them. He will sit with them when I’m antsy and can’t sit still.

He delights the kids with his surprises. And he’s delighted with them.

John has a special chair, and the kids all know it’s his chair. It’s a ratty old thing, covered with a blandly brown throw that looks as ratty as the chair. The kids love to race to jump in his chair just before he sits down. He squawks like a chicken and pretends to sit on them, which brings giggles and laughter.

What I appreciate is that the kids all know they’re well-loved by Papa.

They don’t do a single thing to earn that love. Their existence as John’s grandkids gives them all they need to be embraced with his love and generosity.

Being a loving parent or grandparent reflects how we’ve been created by God. Caring unselfishly for others, regardless of how they treat us, isn’t an easy value to uphold. Culturally, love is often viewed as a two-way street; we love someone who will love us equally.

Jesus shared how God unselfishly gives His love to us when He told the story of the Prodigal Son to a group of His followers and some religious leaders, many of whom complained about how Jesus chose to hang around people they deemed unworthy.

He spoke of a son who asked his father for his inheritance early, a move that was considered a grave cultural insult. It was as he said, “Dad, I wish you were dead.” He valued what his dad had rather than a relationship with his father.

His father accommodated him, gave him his share of the inheritance, which the son took and wasted on reckless living, squandering it without thinking of what would happen when he ran out.

Which he soon did.

A famine spread over the land, and this young man was not only without money but without food. He got the only job he could, feeding pigs, which, for a Jew, was total social disgrace and moral corruption. In desperation, he decided to go back home, humbling himself before his father, being willing to work as a servant instead of having the status of a son.

Instead of dismissing his son for his humiliating behavior, the father, who had been searching for his boy, saw him from a distance and ran to meet him, which would have been seen as improper behavior.

“Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.” Luke 15:20, 22-24.

Unexpected love. Complete forgiveness. Unconditional acceptance. That was the kind of love this father showed his wayward son.

God’s love for us is just like that, for lavish love is His true domain. His love is so powerful we can’t lose it, use it up, or walk away from it when He’s given it to us.

John is loving and kind in how he treats others.

Not even John can hold a candle to God’s love.

And God offers it to you.