My manual labor project this week was to move about 5,000 (I’m dramatic) massive Spanish roof tiles from point A to point B, onto a roof, and then finally to place them together on the roof like puzzle pieces. It was tedious and hard, and it challenged me physically, in more ways than one. My beautiful squad leader Regan, my squad mate Gracie, and I all tackled this task with as much joy in our hearts as we could make ourselves feel. Trying to listen to music, make conversation, and set tiny goals as the hours passed, looking forward to lunch. As my arms began to feel like actual noodles, Regan said this: “I’m gonna give you some time to think about this. But what is God teaching you through moving these tiles?”
Last thing I wanted to hear honestly. Like, obviously God is teaching me NOTHING right now. (Wrong) But, exactly what I needed to hear. When she asked that, I vividly remembered a moment with my dad YEARS ago. I had to have been 10. We were tackling a trailer full of bricks together, moving them off the trailer one at a time. I was much younger, way less patient, and still learning to have a servant’s heart. Dad kept telling me, “One brick at a time.” For the past decade, through hard days, a breakup, anxiety, counseling, hard lessons, terrible ruts, or just hard tasks, my dad has always said that to me. “One brick at a time.”
While that was sweet & encouraging to hear from my Heavenly Father about my Earthly Father, He opened my eyes to something even sweeter. And that was how much of a blessing it TRULY is to EVER be able to learn something about THE Father, from your father. If my dad hadn’t prayed for me since before I was born, I would not have been born. If my dad hadn’t prayed for me to be set apart & be a leader, I would not be on the Race right now or probably have an intimate & life giving relationship with the Father at all. If my dad would not have shown me what Love & love was from the moment I was born, I would not know my value the way I do right now. If my dad would not have prayed for my heart during my battle with crippling anxiety, I would not have the bravery and confidence that I am growing into as we speak. Typing through the teeeears, people! I am incandescently blessed for a father (and a mother) who have literally spent their entire lives on their knees for my strength, my heart, and my future. Mushy ain’t even the word. I’m gonna give em a fat smooch when I see them again. That’s what I learned from moving tiles. Serge, I know you’re reading this, I love ya.
With that being said, if you do not have an earthly father in your life or on the Earth, you DO have a Heavenly Father who is pursuing you and your heart. He wants to hear from you, hold your hand, listen to your drama and your tears, speak to you, and hold your heart, and teach you things too. For real! Not even the greatest earthly dad could compare. Talk to you soon!
