Empty Promises, Dora The Explorer, and Melted Hearts
“Sure baby”, I mumbled as I was digging through my backpack to find that check.
It was one of the 1000 times I said “sure” to one of my kids without even really listening to the ask.
She could have asked me if she could strip for a living for all I heard.
And I said yes.
That thought hit me after I found the check.
So I walked upstairs and saw her making a bed on her floor.
“Baby? What are you doing?” I asked.
“Making our bed daddy. You said you would sleep on the floor with me.”
“I did?”
Blank stare back at me.
“I did! Yes I did. Yessirree I did”.
My back began to hurt just thinking of the night ahead.
As I walked away I mumbled…
“She’ll forget by the time I go to bed and be back on her top bunk.”
Emails…blog…24…emails…Nightline…cereal…Hulu short documentary…surrender to my eyelids.
I didn’t even remember my promise to my biscuit head until I walked past her room and saw this…
The note on the pillow read…
Dad. Right Here
Seanna showed me tonight that even though I have fallen through on countless promises…
She believed with every ounce of her being I would be there when she woke up.
The spiritual implications this life lesson has on me are too numerous to count.
May I trust my Rescuer with the same belief my 6 year old has in me.
Los
RAIN IT DOWN
That’s awesome.
My kids never cease to amaze me.
Word! I love this!
Me too!!!
That’s so precious! Amen!
Thanks. She rips my heart out everyday
Daughters are the most powerful force in the world…when it comes to dads.
Yes…they…are
I almost started crying…such a beautiful story. Makes me think about my own kids and how promises are becoming so important to them now.
They are sooooo important
That is unreal! It seems that parenting is a major part of life that God reveals things to you. It’s a life-long process, too!
Forever…
a sore back seems such a small price to pay when its put that way…
Totally.
so… did you sleep in your assigned spot?
For an hour. Then I took her to bed with me.
nice! win-win there…
I was going to ask the same question. So Sweet!
Wow. To have the faith of a child.
Makes me sad that I grew up.
Amen.
This is incredible! Grateful that we serve a God that always saves a spot for us, even when we don’t.
yup.
I know it’s just a matter of time till I’m going through the exact same thing.
Dude! Our kids are awesome!
for real. I can barely contain the emotions sometimes.
Ohhh, the lessons/reminders our kids teach us! They are my biggest teacher!
Yes.
seriously… these stories melt me.
you’re a good daddy… your girls believed you were going to be there because they had no reason not to. what a gift. i never had the kind of faith in my dad.
bless you. bless them. dang… it just rocks.
I know and pray that HE is more than enough to replace that junk!
Sho ’nuff…..
I’m with Crystal on this one…warms my heart to see dad’s who care and love so deeply. I pray every little girls gets to experience that because the pain of not having that sucks. But, as you said, He fills every void.
Los, I’ve been following your blog for a while. This one ripped at my heart. Thanks for your transparency bro. I think my kids teach me more about spirituality than anything else in my life. What a great lesson. Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome!!!
Powerful stuff!
My eldest son came into my room about 2:30 am this morning. Said he had a bad dream and wanted me to tuck him back in. I was so tired and didn’t want to get up. But in that moment my son needed to know that everything was OK.
Isn’t it amazing the lessons our children teach us?
Amazing.
Thanks for that. I’m inspired and convicted both.
I will not say no the next time my son wants to build a tent and “camp-out” in the living room.
I will not say I can’t the next time my Father asks me to trust Him.
Amen
I love how your daughter took the Falcons blanket and left you the Cinderella.
Now THAT is the best part…
She even knows the Dirty Bird
that is so sweet! my 7 year old son told me when the earthquake happened that people weren’t helping because they only had Jesus in their hearts…He hadn’t made it to their hands or feet yet
Brilliant.
That really opened my eyes. I always see God as this big strong guy and now I see him as a loving father
That is why I write
Wow Brother – I’m sat here nearly in tears at this…
Just going to check on my 3 now. Might have to see if one will wake up enough to give their old man a hug
I’ll give you a hug if they dont.
Being a parent has given me a whole new view of God, the Father. I used to frequently think “Why would God do THAT for ME?” Then I had kids…
And indeed, the kids do an amazing job of reminding me on a regular basis of what Faith is. Just wish I could be .000001% as reliable as God is.
Seriously. Good words.
our children are like the holy spirit. they remind us gently about our shortcomings…and make us want to be better people.
Yes they do.
holy crap.
my soul is crushed.
amazing.
Good thing He promises it to put it back together.
*gulp*
Something stuck in your throat?
I feel ya.
I LOVE this! So precious! It is so awesome how God uses our children to teach us such valuable lessons, isn’t it!
It IS!
A beautiful reminder that faith really is a simple thing. Children have a way of reminding of us simple truths in very profound ways. Thank you for sharing
Thanks Makeda for always being here and blessing us with your words.
You get me everytime with this Daddy stuff. (tear)
I’m a dad to four girls (and another baby on the way)… A few nights ago I slept on the couch with her. My little one asked me to. I’m still a little sore, but it was totally worth it.
Totally. They will be 20 before we know it.
I had to zoom thru the comments because I was too teary-eyed to read them anyway! And I was also skeered they would make me cry more! It’s that time of the month so I cry a lot anyhow! (I know, TMI).
I remember those days. Thankfully my child liked her bed & there was room for both of us. Or all 3 of us in our bed. And now she’s 23. And 2000 miles away. She finally got to come to WA last week & I just wanted to snuggle with her in her bed. Instead? She got in my spot, in my bed, before I could! Crap! Crying again! I love how you love each of your kids for who they are and not who you want them to be. That’s real.
wow! incredible post and incredible reminder. still processing this. thanks los.
So Sweet…that note might be your hint to slowdown a little!
wow. wow. wow. how awesome is that. thanks for sharing.
powerful word, Los. thanks for sharing again. as a parent we have huge responsibility and opportunity to give our kids a picture of God. my follow through sucks far too often. thank you for sharing this moment. i needed that.
I absolutely love your perspective on life, and how God grabs your attention in such cool ways. Loved the insight! Thanks friend!
When I grow, I hope I can be that same kind of daughter with God, and yet be a mother whose child has that kind of faith in me.
Good time bro!
…pass the Kleenex….