The summer after Peter and I got married, we invited some friends over to give us their ideas for renovating our 1950-60-something ranch-style home, complete with bomb shelter. Tim, an engineer and Melanie, a chemist, (or maybe the other way around) think linearly and we wanted their feedback.

We ended the tour outside on the deck, where we talked about ideas. It was dusk and Little Bit had just had her bath. She came outside in her long, white cotton slip/nightgown, complete with a ruffle at the bottom. Her hair was still wet and amazingly, she was quiet (the girl can talk!) as we discussed design ideas.

At one point in the conversation, my 6’5” husband looked down at Little Bit and said tenderly to her, “You want that; don’t you?” I hadn’t realized it at the time, but Little Bit was intently eyeing at least one firefly that was just out of her reach. Peter saw the desire of her heart and without any effort at all, reached up, cupped the firefly in his hands and lovingly gave her the tiny light.

The look on her face was priceless! She was so elated to have the very thing she wanted, and she entertained herself with it for the next while.

The lesson here, though, is not about the joy of receiving unexpected gifts, or being the recipient of someone else’s abilities. Rather, the lesson for me that day was about the love of a father for his child. Specifically, I witnessed firsthand how my husband loves his little girl and when he has the ability to do something nice for her, he does. It’s that simple really. No effort required.

That night, I believe Peter painted me a picture of God like I had never seen before. Peter showed me that God is like a Father, who loves His children, and desires to give good gifts to them. And for God, it’s no big deal to provide such gifts.

I’m thankful that Little Bit and her brother, as well as Sweet Pea and Ninja Boy have a living example of a loving father/stepfather, who is painting a beautiful picture for them of our own Heavenly Father.

One final note, I’m currently reading The Shack and was struck by a thought in the book when Mack, the main character, wrestles with why God is so often referred to as father. He didn’t have the best fatherly example of God. The author says that sense Creation is so broken, the need to point people to a loving Father is all the more important. You’ll have to read the book to get the full picture.

I’m blessed today, and every day, to see a loving Father relate to our four children in a way that paints a beautiful picture of God.

Happy Father’s Day, Shmitty!