Thank you!

A few Saturdays ago Susanne, Linnea and I were out running errands and we decided to stop at Fuddruckers for lunch. The place was bustling with activity, packed with moms and dads and children, many of whom were wearing soccer or football uniforms (the children, that is, not the moms and dads).
Susanne and Linnea went to find a table while I waited in line to order our food. As I stood there watching the other families I found myself thinking about how, not too long ago, I used to see families on fall Saturdays and feel sad. Susanne and I didn’t have children, and it was starting to look to me like we never would. This time my thoughts turned to joy because of the beautiful gift God gave us, a sweet, energetic girl who turned three last Saturday. We were blessed to be there for Linnea’s birth, and she has been with us ever since. What a gift from the God “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” As I stood in line considering all this tears of gratitude welled up in my eyes.
“God, I had all but given up on being a father,” I silently prayed. “I had given up the idea that it even mattered to you where I was concerned. Thank you for being so good to me.”
One of these days I might bump into you on a fall Saturday at Fuddruckers. I’ll be the misty-eyed dad ordering burgers for me and my wife and the little blonde beauty in the soccer uniform.