 |
| The Stuart Family 1975 |
When I was a little girl I remember giving my dad a special
tie for Father’s Day. It was one that I made in my kindergarten class. It was
made out of paper. We had cut them out and decorated them especially for our
dads. Mine was quite colorful with my
own special designs. It was kind of silly looking, but I was proud of it, because
it was something I had made for him. I remember giving it to him and how he
graciously and lovingly received it with a big smile on his face. I also
remember being a little embarrassed by it because it definitely didn’t live up
to the many other ties that my dad wore.
My dad was a pastor and often wore a tie. One morning he showed up at the
breakfast table wearing the tie I had made him. He loved it and was going to
wear it to work. He couldn’t have made a little five-year-old happier!
 |
| Tammy in Kindergarten |
 |
| Standing in front of our "likely" Congo, Kinshasa school building |
Today, 40 years later, I still feel like I am making “paper
ties”. Not for my dad any longer, but for my heavenly father. Whether the tie I
make comes in the form of the project I am working on to get a school starting
in the DRC (Congo), organizing a fundraiser Freiheitslauf(“freedom
run”), trying to connect our church
women’s ministry to the needs of the many refugees that are moving into this area
of Germany, perhaps cooking a meal, or singing in our town’s Music Verein (local choir). These “ties”
are all things I enjoy “making”, with my limited knowledge, experience,
expertise, passion and love…
The other day while reading in the Bible I was reminded that
when God created men and women, He created them to reflect His own image to the
world. It hit me that the gifts and
passions He specifically gave me were given so that I could reflect that aspect
of Him to this world. I don’t have to be
ashamed of them, or feel like they are “less worthy” than others, because I
know he has made me to reflect that part of His image in me to the world around.
 |
| Happy Birthday Dad! ( Feb 21) Love you! |
I have a delightful picture in my head - a picture of God wearing
a different paper tie every day. Ones that each of us have made and given Him
which show our own individual uniqueness, culture, gifts….ones that reflect
something of Him in us. And yes, He is wearing them with a big, proud smile on
His face!
