The Most Beautiful Girls In the World

Last week I spent the entire week relaxing, playing, laughing, swimming, floating, fishing and having a great time with three of the most beautiful girls in the world. As the week progressed I found myself at different moments with each of my girls realizing that I have been blessed beyond belief with these three precious treasures.

It wasn't in the big things, it was the little things. It was the way Emma would look me straight in the eye, smile her wry little smile which just melted my heart with love for her. That look which for her may have meant something else, but for me I believe was just unconditional love of a daughter for her daddy.

There was the moment when a little hand just reached out for mine as we walked along and held on tight. There was no request from me, no need to hold hands for safety, but Cara just wanted to walk with her daddy and hold hands. As I looked down at this beautiful little girl I once again was reminded of the tremendous blessing that God has bestowed on me.

There was the moment when I looked across at my beautiful wife, Julie, who was sitting on the boat with Cara's head resting in her lap as we slowly headed towards the sunset after a perfect evening of fun and laughs.

Each day there was one moment after another. Nothing big or great, but each little thing which would melt my heart once more. Even the stuff that often can be frustrating would somehow become sweet. The sticky fingers and faces covered with melted marshmallows, or covered with chocolate ice cream or covered with ketchup. It didnt matter what the mess was, behind the mess there were looks of love, looks of acceptance, looks that reminded me once more how blessed I am.

As we returned home there were still more moments when Cara would say something silly or Emma would sing a worship song to herself, or Julie would challenge my thinking on something I had been reading. Again, no major life changing flash, but each moment enough to challenge me on how much I return the love to my beautiful girls. Each moment a challenge to be the head of the household in every aspect, and that means I need to give out more hugs, more kisses, more praise, more encouragement, more prayers, more support for each of my girls.

My prayer has become that God would give me the strength to be the dad that He has called me to be. That I would have the wisdom to be the husband that God expects me to be. That I would love more and be slow to anger. My prayer is that God would knit our family together with bonds of love that cannot be broken, regardless of what comes our way.

This week was supposed to be about relaxing and recharging as we/I prepare for a couple of busy weeks of church service.

This week was actually about me falling in love with my girls all over again. Don't get me wrong, I never fell out of love with them, but this week was a week when my love for them deepened and God showed me the specialness of each of my girls.

To Julie, Cara and Emma - I love you with everything that I have. You are my treasures, you are my inspiration, your are my loves. I pray that God would richly bless each of you in the calling on your lives and bless us as a family as we seek to do His will.