A FATHER'S PLEASURE

As a father, I find great joy in seeing my kids experience great joy.

In recent weeks I have thoroughly enjoyed 

• Watching Sarah sing and dance on stage.
• Watching Samuel interact with new friends.
• Watching Hannah plant flowers in pottery she created this semester.

And lately ... seeing photos of Caleb.

Caleb is in Florence, Italy for a couple of weeks for a study abroad experience.

He just finished a hard semester that was part of a tough year that was part of a difficult college experience so far. 

But now - for a short time - he is climbing the Tower of Pisa, touring the Roman Coliseum, and eating gelato. 

I simply cannot describe how elated I am to see these photos and that big smile on his face. 

In fact, standing beside him in St. Peter's Square might honestly bring me only slightly more pleasure than I am feeling from afar. 

It might do each of us a lot of good to contemplate now and then how there must be times in our lives when our heavenly Father takes great pleasure in watching what we are up to.