On the weekend before our departure, after our home had been emptied into 13 suitcases, I asked my children if I could bring them to their favorite ice cream place for a last treat.
For special occasions, we always ordered a particular combo— it came with a free third scoop of ice cream for two scoops ordered. I liked knowing I was getting a good deal.
“What would you like?” I asked.
“Strawberry shortcake!”
“Speculoos!”
Both replies rang loud and clear. But I’d ordered two flavors for Cliff and I already, and had expected them to agree on one.
I made a split second decision. “Let’s go with Speculoos. You guys already tried Strawbery shortcake before.”
My older child, always the responsible and gracious one, sank down with disappointment. Her lips quivered with the weight of knowing we were leaving the next day.
“It’s expensive enough as it is,” I reasoned. “I can’t order a fourth scoop.”
Later that evening, as I worshipped the Lord at church, God met me. Tears ran down my cheeks as I felt Him ask me gently, “Am I like that? Is my love calculated? What are you afraid of?”
I realized I’d acted from what I myself had been told and resented while growing up- that I could only have a treat if it was “value for money.”
On my way to apologize to my firstborn, a stranger (who of course didn’t know what happened) stopped me midway to say, “I’m going to make a financial transfer to you because God told me to a few days ago.”
It was a hundred fold what I thought I would have “wasted” on additional ice cream.
I felt God ask me again, “I’m a Good Father. What are you afraid of?”
I hugged my firstborn- “Mama is sorry for not reflecting God. I’ve fallen short. God treasures you more than you know. Can I make it up to you?”
On the day of our departure, we made it just in time to revisit the store for two scoops of ice cream— one for each child. Strawberry shortcake and Dark Chocolate.
As I came back with the ice creams, I held back tears because the server had not only given us his personal staff discount of 20% off, but had given us free rainbow sprinkles, too.
“God is generous. God is kind. This is who God is.”