Baby Zerberts

I wrote this to an email list almost seven years ago. My daughter's a big girl now, almost eight years old, but I still like this part of being Daddy-man.

Those of you who know me know that I love my kids. I enjoy the wrestling in the floor and on the beds, the hugs and kisses and impromptu thank yous (you don't know how pleasing it is to hear Trace, our three year old son, say "thank you" to someone with out us prompting him!)...

Tonight, I got another moment to treasure. From my daughter, Cameron, all 13 1/2 months of her.

For the first time, after I have showered her day after day with kisses and hugs and zerberts (look up old Cosby Show reruns for good visual display), my daughter kissed back.

She can now have anything her little heart desires. My heart warmed, my smile got bigger, and buddy, I wanted more of that. She did, too, giggling all over the place.

How much love does God show *you* before you finally start showing something real back? How much does our Father hug on us and wrestle with us? How His heart must yearn for us to love Him back, and how He must be utterly moved in the deepest recesses when we turn and tell Him, finally, and without provocation... "I love You, Lord."

His smile gets bigger, too.