Lessons from Amanda

I couldn't adequately describe in a blog entry what a blessing my 5-1/2 year-old daughter Amanda (see picture to the right) is in my life. I've taught and written frequently on the role of being a godly father and it's an area where I all too frequently fall short. Yet as I look back on my brief time as a father, I recognize many occasions that God has used her to teach me. Here are some of the life lessons I've learned from Amanda.

1) God's love for us is deeper and more incredible than anyone could ever imagine: When Amanda smiles at me, when she draws a picture for me, when I see joy on her face, when she curls up in my lap to watch TV, when she gives me hugs and kisses, when we tell each other "I love you"---I'm reminded that God loved me so much that he sent His only Son Jesus to die on the cross, so that I could live with Him forever. That's a love that's beyond description.

2) God's creation is a wonder we should never take for granted: Amanda's first memory verse in Kindergarten is Genesis 1:1, but the reality is she's marveled at God's creation for quite some time. When she discovers something new or talks about things she's seen, she often reminds me that God made it and that He made us as well.

3) God takes great joy in our obedience: I love it when Amanda listens to me and does what I ask her to do. For those times when she doesn't and I get frustrated, I try to think about how God feels when I disobey Him. After Jesus was baptized, Luke 3:22 tells us how the Holy Spirit came upon Him and God's voice came from Heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

4) God's grace, mercy and forgiveness are ours for the asking: One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is genuine honesty, which includes admitting when we are wrong and asking for forgiveness. Amanda is always quick to forgive me when I ask for it and it allows me to teach her the truth of 1 John 1:9, which tells us that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

5) God desires our undivided attention and time alone with us: Amanda takes great joy in "Daddy time"--which could be playing together, reading together, watching a movie together, running errands, going to the playground---anything as long as we're together. This reminds me that God also desires time with me alone in His Word and in prayer and how much I am blessed when I spend quality time with Him.

Every night, I pray this prayer for Amanda when Cheryl and I put her to bed: "Protect her from evil, cover her with Christ's blood, fulfill Your purpose in her life." Teaching me is certainly one of those purposes.