Encouragement

---

Daddy’s Car

There is nothing special about Daddy’s car. Of course, I’m thankful everyday to own a car. However, it should be noted that there really is nothing inherently special about Daddy’s car. It has four wheels, four doors, and starts when you turn the key. It is just about what you would expect from any family car and nothing more than that.

You cannot convince my two year old son of this. He loves Daddy’s Car. To tell him that he is riding in Daddy’s car to go anywhere is one of the most exciting prospects in his day. He begins dancing, skipping, and singing at the mere mention of it.

It happened again last week. Mommy normally takes him to daycare in the mornings. It is on her way to work. However, on this day she had a special training to go to in a different direction. Therefore, it was Daddy’s turn to take Joseph to day care. I told him it was time to go out to Daddy’s car, and you would have thought I said we were going to Walt Disney World to eat fudge ice cream cones. He ran clapping to my car and climbed in all by himself.

I sat perplexed as we drove to the daycare. He laughed and giggled the whole way there with occasional reminders that we were riding in, “Daddee Ca.” What amazed me was the stark contrast this was to my wife telling me how quiet he is in the mornings on the way to day care. This was anything but quiet. So what was the big deal? What is so special about daddy’s car?

It was then a soft voice spoke to me…

You see, I have been doing a personal bible study in wisdom for some time now. I’ve begun to understand that true wisdom is a continual journey we trek throughout our lives until the day we see Christ in heaven. One of the many lessons we must learn as we journey towards Godly wisdom is sacrifice.

It isn’t so much the sacrificing part that has always perplexed me because any good Christian understands that the bible teaches we must take up our cross and follow him. This is a foundational principal by which we devote our lives to his service. No, the hard part has always been that the bible teaches us we are to do so with joy.

I’ve struggled with this as I’m certain many others have as well. What exactly is joy? Particularly, joy in the context of sacrifice. I’m not certain I could find the joy in a situation when another person is beating me with a whip or burning my house down.

It is obviously something more than simple happiness, because it is safe to say that most of us would not be happy as our house was burning or our back bleeding. For quite some time I’ve struggled to truly grasp this word and praying God would show his wisdom to me.

However, as I watched my son grinning in the back seat, singing and bouncing, I realized I was being given a picture of joy from the eyes of a child. It is always interesting how much we can learn from a child.

There is nothing special about Daddy’s car. In fact it’s not the car; it is Daddy that makes this ride so special. And, I say this with all humility because I assure you there is nothing special about Daddy either. But to the two year old in the back seat, these precious minutes on the way to day care are some of the finest moments to date.

In the simplicity of a child arose a genuine view of joy. He didn’t need a reason, he didn’t analyze the situation, and he didn’t even care where he was going. He just loved being with his Daddy. It should be the same when we approach God. We are often reminded to approach God as a little child. No strings attached.

Luke 18: 15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."

How often do you sit down to talk to God for no reason other than you want to enjoy his companionship? Is he more than just a God to you; is he your friend as well? I looked back at my prayer life and I realize that I do what many of us do. It isn’t wrong to go to the Lord with your problems and concerns. You are encouraged to do so. However, I didn’t see a clear pattern of me taking time to enjoy my Father in heaven alone in praise as a dear friend.

Psalm 100: 1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

I enjoy praising the name of Jesus in my car and spending time making a joyful noise to him while I’m driving along. It doesn’t matter what is going on in the world or my life. I’m a young Christian, and I’m learning slowly that path of wisdom God has in store for me. Like a child learning to walk, it is one step at a time.

This much I know. Everything I have belongs to my father in heaven, including my car. For now, I will go on singing and praising God joyfully in the car. If you were to hear me, you may not find much joy in my voice, but I know God does. And if you see a fool singing at the top of his lungs praise music, just smile and wave. It may be me. Taking a lesson from my son, I will continue to enjoy my rides in Daddy’s car.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE