Daddy’s Here!
“I long to worship Jesus with the heart of a child, in a state of pure and true adoration. Yet so many things of the world cloud my thoughts and pull on my heart until it’s no longer just a girl in the arms of the Father”
~ Darlene Schacht ~”The Mom Complex”
The dull “thud” of the car door, reaches Sami- the beagle, first. She sounds the alarm. It’s our 30 second warning. “Get Ready! He’s HERE!” Sami barks.
“Jingle, tinkle, thump” We hear someone at the door. Keys in lock, laptop bumping as the door opens.
Noah- 4-nearly 5, is the first one on his feet. “DADDY!!!!!” He screams, running to the front door. I cringe, just a bit, hoping he won’t skid out on the hardwood. (It’s been known to happen.)
The door opens. “Stuff” is dumped. Noah jumps into his Daddy’s arms. (Good thing Daddy catches him!)
In an instant, the whole house changes. The TV goes off- Video games are over. Toys are tossed to the side.
Daddy is home.
Attention is refocused. The entire day is rewound and played back at lightening speed. “Today, Sami threw up Spaghettios, on the carpet!” Noah proclaims, as though it were late breaking international news. “I got my report card” Says whichever Highschooler received better grades. “My Ecology teacher teaches with propaganda” Says the political activist. They are not speaking to me- or even each other- it’s Dad who’s attention they vie for.
After dinner is cleaned up, (which occasionally involves yelling and arguing about whose turn it is to take out the trash- and needs not be recounted in great detail…) Noah takes “His spot.” “His spot” is under his Dad’s arm. (Ummm yeah- he sits in Daddy’s armpit- but it’s sweet- it’s as close to Daddy as he can get;) Inseparable, for the evening. They play “camping” in front of the fireplace. They read books at bed time.
I could paint my face in team colors- don a HUGE #1 finger and parade through the house singing the national anthem full-tilt, without notice. (That would NOT be a normal occurance- and typically, would at LEAST raise eyebrows;) Why would I go unnoticed?
Daddy is home. And, all attention has turned. To him.
I’ll admit to a tinge of jealousy that hits me at these times. I’ll also admit to a bit of relief- that I’m not the “sole parent on duty”! Even more- I am reminded, that My Daddy has been with me all day. Through sweaty work-outs, through laundry folding, and scrubbing dog-nose prints off the doorwall, through faces splashed by attempts at toilet plunging….He was there.
Did I notice? Did I hear his keys in the lock of my heart? Did I jump to meet Him? Or did I duck and hide? Did I hear His quiet loving voice reminding me “In your anger- do not sin” ? When parmesan cheese was found sprinkled in a trail across the kitchen floor….maybe- maybe not. But today? Today I will. With His help…
Dear Lord- You are my heavenly Father- help me hear the jingle of your keys in the lock- Call me- and I’ll run to you. Help me to rest “in my spot” close to your heart. God- thank you for being home- with me. And-thank you Lord- for teaching me through my children- I love you !- amen.
For more takes on this quote— click here
Oh sounds like my household growing up, and household with my kids. I remember as a little girl I would follow my Daddy all around and Mom would have to say “Laurel, at least let Daddy go potty himself!” hehehe…
What a beautiful picture you paint.
beautiful post and so well-written. Thanks
How I wish to be in Gods armpit rigth now. It sounds SO safe and comforting…
sounds like my kids when daddy comes home! What a sweet sound and what a beautiful expression of love. Thanks for the post!
Tracey,
Our house turns around in an instant when Daddy arrives home also. We are especially thrilled because he comes home once a week on Friday, as he travels all week. Your post made me smile and think about how we can learn so much about real worship through our kids. 🙂
I can remember greeting my dad after he came home from work. No matter where we were inside or out, we came running when he came home. He was in construction and I remember he would still be wearing his silver construction helmet as he got out of the car. Fridays were especially cool because he would always bring home “What A Burgers” for supper. They were simply delicious and it was always exciting to see him get out of the car with the bags filled with burgers and fries.
I can understand your son wanting to sit as close as possible to dad. I used to love to hold my dad’s hand because it felt so big and made me feel safe. God knew what he was doing when he created moms and dads. They each have their own unique qualities. My mom was always there when I came home from school and I looked to her for my everyday needs and ran to her when I needed attention for scraped knees, a sore throat and a broken heart. She had a different touch than dad, but just as important to me.
I loooved this. Another participant also mentioned being excited that Daddy is home. Just wonderful.
Thanks for sharing your sweet thoughts.
That reminds me sooo much of my household when the kids were little and daddy came home. Thanks for the memory. Great story.
Tracey what a wonderful analogy between your children and their daddy and you and your Daddy…Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this week’s IOW quote…
OK..I feel your pain but….
as a mom whose kids still prefer her even after daddy arrives home, I am envious of you! I so need a break at the end of the day, and having to pry the kids off me so I can go to the bathroom is hard work. …and I’d be happy to mindlessly attend to other duties around the house. LOL
What a beautiful illustration. If only we’d listen for our Heavenly Father like this. A great thought-provoking illustration. Thanks for sharing.
In the spirit of full disclosure…I must admit— Part of the reason why the response to Daddy’s being home- is that he travels out of state 3 days a week or so—-and works late often, when he’s not traveling, so— Daddy coming home is quite an event!
ts;)
This entire post was so sweet. But what particularly struck me was “in your anger, do not sin.” Those are words I’m going to print on my heart.
What a beautifully painted picture!!! “did I hear Him knocking on the door of my heart??” I LOVE IT!
Thanks for sharing!!