Pictures...

Waiting on Daddy...

The holidays are always over too quickly. The decoration, the preparation of food, the planning of family time, spending time with friends, and, yes, spending money. All this for a few quick days during the holidays. Then, Christmas and New Year are over. The tree and decorations come down and are packed away for another year. The memories and pictures are what lasts.

Even from the time I was little, I could gather memories like wildflowers and store for another day. I love watching my family and others during the holidays. The anticipation on the faces of the children. The looks of excitement from the parents. The hesitation on those who want to buy at the store, but see the prices. The face of a child waiting for his father to get home so they could open presents. Not once asking to open those gifts until Daddy was with the family.

As I look at the picture above, I am reminded that we are His children. We should be anticipating His return. Matthew 24:42 says “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." Unlike AJ, who knew when his dad got off, knew when he should be coming around the curves, and what vehicle he drove, we do not know when the Lord is coming. However, we do know He is coming. For the holidays, we know when the day is and can prepare. For the Lord's coming, we don't know the day or the hour, but we do know how to prepare.

This is by far my favorite picture from the holidays. You might ask, "Why? He looks sad." Because it shows AJ's love for his father. If a picture was taken of us, would the picture show our anticipation, our love for The Father, and our dedication to waiting for His return? What would that picture reveal?