Captain D's

This past spring, while my boyfriend Michael and I were leaving a baseball game, my dad took Michael aside to let him in on a secret for impressing women (me, I pray).  He didn't encourage Michael to spend lavish amounts of money on me, but he suggested that Michael take me to Captain D's.  To my astonishment, my dad was beaming over a rarely mentioned or celebrated fast food restaurant.  Something seems wrong with this picture.  But, my dad and the Mrs. (my mom) had been visiting this eatery for a while and are specifically impressed by their Lighter Fare menu.

I tell you this story not to advertise for Captain D's but because it warms my heart every time someone mentions Captain D's around my dad - his eyes literally light up.  He is so excited about the healthy, delicious and inexpensive meals found at a fairly inconspicuous establishment in St. Louis (only a few locations in the area).  It's like when you find the perfect hotel on a vacation - unknown yet clean, comfortable, beautiful view, close the beach and affordable.  Or, when you find the right person for marriage or just the best ice cream on the market.  What a find!

My dad's response to Captain D's reminds me of our call to be child-like.  Jesus said, "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:4)  I believe one aspect of being humble and child-like is being in awe of God's creation - whether that be in nature, relationships, experiences or just the ingenuity of other humans.  Think of all the things that thrill little kids.  My friend's nephew loves to shop so much so that every time they pull into the grocery store parking lot, he throws his arms in the air and yells, "Excited!"  There's a pure joy that comes when we get delighted by simple things in life.  We're not big and tough - a challenge to be impressed - we're just overflowing with joy and gratitude for the many gifts, big and small, we experience here on earth.  I think those gifts are a taste of Heaven while we wait and yearn for it on earth. 

"For God so loved the world..." he came to save it.  Do I love the many gifts he sends to the world - in their various forms?  Do I see the hand of God and become marveled in little, seemingly insignificant things?  Do my eyes still twinkle?  Can you see the light of Christ through my joy, gratitude, and humility?  I know have a lot to work on, but I want to be more like my dad, more child-like in my awe and wonder of God's many blessings.

Dedicated to the most amazing dad God could have given me and to my friend, Jeff, who encouraged me to write this blog.