CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON -- The Moral of the Story

“God walks with us. He scoops us up in his arms or simply sits with us

in silent strength until we cannot avoid the awesome recognition that,

yes, even now, He is there.”

-- Gloria Gaither

The little hand went up. But the curly head never turned. The cute

little girl in the cute pink bathing suit held up a milky white, pudgy

hand. The moment she held it up, her father reached down to grasp hers

and together they waded into the water.

The little girl never seemed to doubt that her father would be right

there when she needed him. Just moments before, she ran down the sand and

never looked back to see if he was following her. She knew her father

well enough to know that he would be right there with her.

The little girl ran past me with a run that reminded me of our girls

when they were preschoolers. They both ran in a way that was as much

forward as it was bouncing up and down.

I enjoyed this scene and many others when my husband, Jon, and I took

a picnic lunch to the beach last Mother’s Day. Due to schedules and

circumstances, I wasn’t with my mother, my father or my daughters last

Mother’s Day. I can’t complain, though, because I was able to see my

in-laws and my siblings and their families that evening. And in the

middle of the day, I had the fun of being at the beach.

The weather wasn’t ideal, but the scene was still postcard perfect. We

arrived well prepared with sun block, as well as wind breakers and

blankets. When we first got there, Jon and I just sat and stared in

silence for a while, mesmerized by the wonder of the crashing waves. The

cool water mist gently kissed my face, and it felt like tender kisses

from God.

I closed my eyes and thanked God for the beauty of hiscreation. I

sensed a response that said, “My love is more powerful than the oceans,

more faithful than the ebb and flow of the waves and more far-reaching

than the sands on every beach in every country.”

I opened my eyes when I heard squeals of laughter from a little boy

and girl who seemed to be having a splashing contest. Their father was

right behind them. After lunch, I took a walk on the beach. I passed one

little boy who was holding a plastic blue shovel that was almost as big

as he was.

“Daddy, I can’t make my sandcastle work right. Can you help it work

better?” he said.

“Of course, son, all you have to do is ask,” the father answered.

I loved watching families and friends play together. I saw several

sweet scenes of fathers with their children, either protecting, playing,

patiently teaching or just lovingly sitting together.

Fortunately this Father’s Day I will be with my parents, daughters,

extended family and friends. But even if I was alone, my heavenly father

would be with me, just as he is every day. I never have to wonder. He’ll

always be there for me and, he’ll always be there for you. All we have to

do is ask.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at o7

[email protected] or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.