From Life's Window



Our "Takeable Heavenly Father"
Lou Ann Stebbins

My husband, Mark, received the greatest honor of his life last February. At an annual Daddy/Daughter Dinner Dance, our daughter Charity's letter about him was selected to be read out of many that had been submitted. Mark had no prior knowledge of this and practically melted when Charity stood before 500 people to read this precious tribute to their sweet relationship.

Charity, then age 16, wrote about reading the children's book, Guess How Much I Love You, together with her dad just prior to him leaving on a business trip. As Mark was leaving her room, she asked, "Dad, what would you want me to remember if you didn't come back?"

He smiled and said, "I love you and I'm the happiest dad in the world!"

I'd like to share another memory that happened about 13 years ago, when we were living in Ghana. Charity, just four years old at that time, was going through the alphabet thinking of an adjective for each letter that described her dad. I only remember the letter "t." She paused, deep in thought. Then a huge grin filled her face and she said, "Takeable."

I share these stories because last November I lost my 88-year-old dad. I loved my dad, but he was not "takeable." Even though he was a good provider, he was not an engaging, affectionate father. Thankfully, aging improved our relationship. But I don't remember hearing "I love you" or feeling my dad's approval and acceptance when I was a little girl.

I hope this was not your experience, although I know many in our culture suffer this void. Generally, we are a relationally needy culture. If you ever have lived in a relationally rich culture such as Ghana, where people seem to highly value each other and desire to spend time together, you see our culture's weakness dramatically. Sadly, I admit I am once again becoming comfortable with half-conversations. For example, people often ask, "How are you?" but move on before getting an answer. We rarely see friends without an agenda or appointment, or we avoid people when in a hurry and half-heartedly refer to "getting together sometime." These are symptoms of our relationally chilled culture.

Unfortunately, I am growing numb in this coldness. Yet I hear the Lord encouraging me to do the opposite. He especially desires me to spend time listening to Him, taking in His love, and allowing Him to fill me. How marvelous! The Lord is so "takeable." Because He is "takeable," He fills me with a "sincere love" (1 Peter 1:22) which I then can take to others. I am praying the Lord will continually thaw and warm any frost in our hearts, and we will become more "takeable" as we receive more and more from our truly "takeable" Father.
Lou Ann and Mark Stebbins spent eight years in Ghana, Africa, before making their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Lou Ann directs Lovely Lynn Gardens, a landscaping and gardening business. Mark, her husband, directs Mobilization and Recruitment for the International Ministries Group. They have four children--Charity, Grady, and Jeremy.