The Difference Love Makes

Yesterday’s was no ordinary Wednesday family dinner. It was Richard’s 30th birthday and the preparations began early. Getting the bread ready to rise, sticking the roast in the crock pot, slicing the yellow squash he loves so much when fried to a crispy, chewy golden brown, putting the last touches on the housework, and making several dozen cup cakes.

Before I knew it the school bus was rolling up to the driveway. The boys were so excited when they saw the sign propped up on the fence. Hunter was fantastic! He asked Gage, “Do you know what it says? Let me read it to you. It says, Oh No, Rick is the big 30!” They knew it was going to be a special day for sure.

Walking up the drive way I laid out the plans and emphasized the need to get everything done as quickly as possible because it was just a few short hours before we had to go to church. I told them that while Daddy was eating Justin was going to write on the back glass of his car, HONK I’M 30! I cautioned them not to say anything, it was a surprise. That’s when the celebration went from being a birthday dinner to a surprise party.

The cupcakes were waiting for the boys to decorate when they came in. We had white frosting and those cans of red and blue frosting and lots of sprinkles. We arranged them into a nice big three and a zero. They were sure proud of “their birthday cake.”

As the boys were working on a poster for Daddy, Cheri came in and the three of them finished the project. Hunter had pulled a tooth during class that morning and scrawled across the bottom of the poster in second-grade handwriting was ‘happy birthday, Daddy, I lost my tooth!’ Gage drew several people (more like happy faces with short stick arms and legs) and some of the letters he knew. He printed as neatly as he could his name and the newest word he learned to write… ‘goody!’

It wasn’t long before Rick pulled in the driveway. Hunter jumped into the stair well and up a few steps yelling, “He’s here, hide, he’s here!” Gage ran into the kitchen wide-eyed, hands extended and excitedly asked, “Where can I hide, Granna, where can I hide?” “Right here with me.” We all jumped out and shouted “Surprise!” Then collapsed in hugs and laughter.

Mom and Dad came in next bearing gifts and food, Justin and Amy and their children were right behind them, and when Jimmy came in we were ready to dig in. The house was full and noisy with general conversation, laughter, and the sound of the kids playing. It was a perfect evening and to make it even better, Jacob called!

A couple of days ago I wrote about a little five-year old boy who twenty-five years ago hid in the closet in fear for his life…and yesterday…I looked at a Godly man, husband, and father; active in his community and church. Safety Training Specialist, volunteer fire-fighter, coach, youth teacher, drummer, singer, former quorum court member, confident in who he is and in the God he serves. That’s the difference love makes; the difference of one man, the difference God makes. I am so thankful, my heart so full, I can’t even express it adequately except by that old Christian adage… God is good, He is sooooo goooood!

1 Corinthians 12:31(b) “And now I will show you the most excellent way,”
1 Corinthians 13 “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging symbol. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom ally mysteries and all knowledge, and I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” ~NIV