by Pastor Justin Knapp of Sea-toSky Catalyst
One of the coolest memories from my childhood happened on my 15th birthday. I was obsessed with motorcycles. I mean obsessed. My room was plastered with posters and pictures of my favorite riders and racers, tricked out bikes flying through the air and racing through deserts and forests. It was all my tiny brain could focus on. My parents knew this so they schemed, saved and sacrificed. When it was time for me to open my gift from them, all there was to open was a small little box. I opened it and all that was inside was a little slip of paper with a clue on it. 45 minutes later I found myself at the end of neighborhood-criss-crossing treasure hunt, opening up the back of a cargo truck that was parked where my dad worked (right around the corner from my house). Inside was a (new to me) Honda CR125. My mind was blown! How did they pull this off? How could they make my wildest dream come true? How could they have sacrificed so much in an effort to enrich my life and fulfill my dreams? Parents…
As a parent now, I understand more fully the importance of such events. Knowing my child well enough to know the best gift to give that will enrich their life, bring joy, and hopefully create a more fulfilling and meaningful life. One of my favorite sayings of Jesus was when He told his followers in John 10:10 that the purpose of His mission was “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”