--that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:3 ESV

Dad worked for the government his entire career. Monday through Friday for over twenty-five years he left home at 7:45 a.m. and returned home at 5:15 p.m. Mom packed him a sack lunch each day for his hour-long break. 

One summer day while I was working during my vacation between college semesters the routine was interrupted and took a remarkably different turn. That day, Dad asked me to meet him for lunch at a fine local restaurant. What in the world is going on? Am I in trouble for something? Is Dad ill, or someone else in the family? My mind raced as I imagined all sorts of scenarios to explain this once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. We had never done anything without the rest of the family. The five of us did everything together or not at all.

My palms were sweaty and my heart beat faster than usual. I don’t remember much about the lunch or even the topics of conversation. No lecture. Nothing was wrong at home. Just a father and daughter lunch. That’s what made it so unforgettable. Mom must have asked him to do this.

I recall that special occasion between my father and me after fifty years. Time has passed, but that one hour spent with my dad is etched in my memory with gratitude.

My heavenly Father, thank you from the depths of my heart for the experience I had as a teenager. Fathers impact their children in the smallest ways. How much more I love each moment spent with you. You invite me into your presence but how many times do I delay with excuses of busyness or preoccupation with worries and concerns? May I not avoid you or make “ho hum” and ordinary, the extraordinary—time with you.

Karen Sims