With Father's Day just around the corner, this week's story is very appropriate. It's about an earthly father who knew how to make a very special gift. But Susan Lemckert saw more in it immediately. It reminded her of Jesus' words about our Father's gifts. Her story first appeared on "Heartwarmers.com" and it is published here with her permission.
It was two weeks into what would be a six-week forced sick leave from work for my husband. He had hurt his back and had lifting restrictions. His employer barred him from working until his physician removed all restrictions.
During this time, our youngest daughter, Hillary, was to participate in "Jump Rope for Heart." This was a program at her school that was both fun and also a fundraiser to help prevent heart disease.
Hillary needed a jump rope. I heard her ask several times, "Hey, Daddy, will you get me a jump rope?" I can't recall hearing a response to her requests. However, I did imagine Hillary taking her Daddy down the toy aisle to pick out a jump rope and roping him into buying her some candy at the same time.
One afternoon as I walked through the kitchen, I caught a glimpse of my husband out back sitting on the railroad tie wall whittling something. His glasses had slid down to the end of his nose and sweat was running down his face. I stopped and watched him for a moment. Next to him, on the railroad tie wall, were three lengths of rope, each cut to about six feet in length. Next to the rope were four small blocks of wood. In his hands were two wooden handles.
He drilled a hole through each handle. Then he went over and got a piece of rope. I fought back tears as I realized what he was doing. He put the end of each piece of rope through the wooden handles he had carved. He was answering Hillary's request to get her a jump rope. But this was not just any jump rope -- this was a custom made, Daddy boy quality jump rope!
While I was watching him assemble the jump rope, the verse from Matthew 7:11 came to mind... "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!"
I finally went outside to see this special project. My husband had made not just one, but three custom-made jump ropes -- one for each of our daughters.
By now, three little girls were painting the handles of their jump ropes in their favorite colors. Hillary had picked yellow, Hennie's was pink and Hannah's was purple. After the first coat of paint had dried, painted flowers were added.
I thought again about how we ask our Heavenly Father for something. I think it is true that what we receive from our Heavenly Father will always be far better than we could have ever imagined.
It will be something unique and custom made with "Daddy boy" quality!