Sitting in a car on a warm Florida afternoon is an occasion to let an idle mind wander and a roving eye quest for something unexpected to put in my treasure chest of memories. Best Beloved was running an errand in a nearby hardware store, and I knew I was in for quite a long wait, but I didn’t mind. My bubble was air-conditioned, my music played softly, and I settled down into my seat, quite happy to let the world go by.

My eyes just started to droop when I grew aware of an excited child’s voice approaching. Out of the corner of my eye I looked over the windowsill and saw two little blue-jeaned legs appear, ending in a pair of very scuffed sneakers. This kid knew how to play hard - that was obvious 😊Slowly I sat up. He would run a few steps, then str-e-e-e-tch those legs to match the purposeful stride of the man who had come into view. The boy held that big hand tightly, but couldn’t quite keep up. Run run run...…str-e-e-e-tch. Run run run...str-e-e-e-tch.

And then: “Look daddy, I can walk big like you!” If only I had been able to capture the tenderness on that father’s face as he adjusted HIS walk.

Psalm 103:13-14

As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

For He ]knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust….

(and when I feel weakest, He matches HIS gait to mine).

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