When I was old enough to write, my dad helped me write a letter to Santa Claus. Before I could write, I'm sure I dictated my wish-list to him or my mom. Regardless of how it was communicated, I knew that the list of all the presents I wanted for Christmas was seared into my parents' brains, and there was no chance of anything being left out or neglected. What one parent might forget to tell Santa about, the other would surely remember.
The year I learned to print, my dad and I sat down together, and as I wrote my letter to Santa, it marked a new era of hope and excitement for me! After I painstakingly printed the list with my very best first-grade handwriting, Daddy said he knew the fastest way to get the letter to Santa. He told me to come with him, and I followed him like a little soldier as we marched downstairs to the basement. I remember being puzzled, but intrigued, knowing that my dad ALWAYS knew the best way to do anything. No doubt, my letter to Santa would be the first from my street to reach the North Pole, because my dad said so.
On we marched right over to the coal furnace. A toasty fire was crackling inside as my dad open the furnace door, took the letter from my hand, and tossed it into the fire. Wow. I never knew how airmail worked, but this made perfect sense! The smoke and ashes of my disintegrated letter wafting out of the chimney must have been a much faster way to get mail to Santa than regular mail. I fully trusted Daddy's advice. Sure enough, that Christmas Santa left the wonderful things I'd hoped for under the tree. He'd gotten my letter.
Over the years, my dad gave me fatherly advice on many other issues, and although his mail delivery instructions to the North Pole were a bit far-fetched, he had amazing wisdom and guidance regarding school, friends, dating, chores, etc. Not only could I trust his wisdom, but he also demonstrated his fatherly love, forgiveness, and grace when I'd mess things up along the journey into adulthood.
The joy and hope my dad instilled in me as we wrote and "mailed" my letter to Santa was probably as thrilling for him as it was for me. He was confident that he could provide everything I asked for as the letter rose in a curl of smoke and ashes up through the chimney and out into the cold night air.
Our Abba ("Daddy") Father in Heaven knows what we need, too. Father God knows the deepest desires of our hearts, and without even writing a list or saying a word to Him, He is fully aware of what we need. The Father's heart thrills at every opportunity to bless and help us as we journey through the ups and downs of life. Matthew 6:8 reminds us that "...your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him!"
When we're in trouble, He knows how to help. When we're afraid, He knows what will calm us. When we're sick, He comes to heal. If we are in despair or grieving, He brings comfort.
We don't need to write Him a letter, because He reads our hearts very well, and our Heavenly Father ALWAYS knows the best way to do anything.
Copyright 2023, Chris Custer Werre
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