What I Learned About Dad’s From The Man Who Stole My 0.50 At The Fair. UNITE Linky

They said it was the world’s oldest alligator. Up the stairs, peering over into the secret hole where this ancient reptile lay.

They said I could see him for just 50 cents.

As a little girl, with my dad right beside me, at the county fair, rides spun, hearing laughter and screams enticing me to come join them.

Yet, the man up the stairs somehow lured me to give him my 50 cents.

And in a world full of craziness, people appealing to the innocent; blonde, little green-eyed girls like me…

It can be hard to discern who is safe, who is trustworthy. And it can be easier to cling to our fifty cents, than to give it to anybody. 

“Do you want to see him?” My construction working dad with big hands and a deep voice nudged me.

I hesitated cautiously.

Was it me sensing something wrong with the man reaching for my 50 cents? 

Just then, the stringy-looking wheeling and dealing carnival man snatched my 50 cents and darted off across the fair grounds as if he had stolen the crown of Queen Elizabeth.

My childish brain didn’t register what was happening…

But my dad’s did.

In less than 1.2 seconds, my big, burly Father ran like the world’s fastest sprinter off in the thief’s direction.

I stood alone. Looking around. Wondering what to do next.

Amid cotton candy, and Ferris Wheels, the day turned from a little girl strolling the fair grounds with her father, to a “Bad boys, bad boys”, living, breathing enactment of the t.v. show, COPS.

And just when I thought I would cry, because my dad disappeared around the fair grounds building, chasing some stranger….

I see my large father, strutting as if David after slaying Goliath, walking calmly in my direction…

Fist gripped with my compensation. Not even breathing. Far from cowardly or defeated, but looking more like Thor….

My own personal, modern day super hero.

And I knew He had defeated the man who stole my money. I knew that day, that my Heavenly Father wasn’t wimpy or weak, some pathetic coward….

But a giant like my Daddy, who can defeat every enemy.

I knew that day, God hates injustice, and that I would never have to feel weak, or defeated when God was on my side. God was big and strong…just like my earthly Daddy.  

I knew that day….

God defends the innocent.

Regardless of how life feels at the moment, God won’t just let the enemy devour us, leaving us alone and abandoned, wondering what ever happened.

Like my dad, God hunts down those who do injustice to His children.

He defends the weak, vindicates the innocent, repays each according to their works of evil or righteousness.

When my dad returned he was bigger than life, hardly panting from redeeming what was mine, from the man who stole my money.

He handed me back my 50 cents, but also insisted I go look at the Alligator free of charged, after being taken advantage of for my innocence.

And I learned that day…

God doesn’t just demand compensation when the enemy betrays and steal from us. God fully redeems, giving double compensation for what was un-rightfully taken from us. 

Even Job teaches, what God allowed Satan to rip from Him, God re-compensated with more than double portions as a result of his suffering.

And to be honest, I didn’t think my big, burly construction working dad, could outrun some tall, skinny, strung out looking young kid.

But, He did.

And it seems to me, God has empowered dad’s with a protective instinct that is meant to shelter and esteem, defend, and protect those God has placed within his care.

And in the world today, dad’s are the most valuable, but least appreciated people on the planet….

When Dads are meant to be heroes, resilient defenders, representations of valiant protectors, like our Father in Heaven.

So, women, don’t shrink your husband. Don’t pound Him with your words, disrespect, or sissyfy Him.

Because just when we think evil is winning…

Our Father and redeemer will be walking around that corner any second, gripping tight what the enemy has taken from us.

And your kids Father? They are called to be reflections of the Father’s love for us…

Always fighting. Always winning. Always seeking justice and redemption…and what’s best for their children…

Even if it’s 50 cents, we gave to a thief, willingly, at the county fair.