Dear Rose Park,
Simon started swim lessons this past week. From 5:30pm - 6:00pm Monday through Thursday for two weeks, Simon and I drive to the Holland Aquatic Center. It’s only been three days and he’s already having the time of his life; he loves to jump off the edge into the instructors arms, he loves to blow bubbles, and he loves to kick and splash.
Many of you know, I grew up as a swimmer. My brothers and I participated in age group swimming, middle school swimming, and high school swimming. Every single one of these practices was held at the Aquatic Center; so, to bring my own son back to the same pool for his very first ‘practice’ was a special moment for this dad. If I already wasn’t being flooded with emotions and memories, the swim lesson itself put me over the edge.
Simon’s ‘coach, ‘ Braden had all five swimmers stand at the edge of the pool. One by one they would curl their toes over the edge and jump into his arms and then swim across the pool to their parents. As they lined up, Braden would whisper something into each swimmers ear to say to their parents. Simon stood at the edge of the pool, he extended his little arm and pointed towards me and said, “this is for you dad!” and then jumped in. I about melted.
When he got out of the pool I wrapped him in his towel and told him how I proud I was. For the rest of the night, I kept thinking about his little grin and voice shouting out, “this is for you dad!” The more I’ve thought about it, I wonder if this is what God must feel when He looks at us; He loves us so much. His heart must fill with pride and joy when He sees us working and growing in His Kingdom. Much like the love and joy of the father found in Luke 15, I imagine God at the other side of the pool waiting for us to jump in and then wrapping us in a warm towel to kiss us on the cheek and tell us how much He loves us.
As you continue in your week and prepare for communal worship on Sunday, may you be encouraged and reminded that God loves you and He’s so very proud of you.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark