REHEATED COFFEE

Cinnamon Sugar Toast

BY AMANDA JACKMAN

This morning I woke up craving toast. Call it a pregnancy craving or nostalgia, but I found myself putting a little bit of cinnamon and sugar on top, the way my dad always used to. My children saw this new revelation and asked what in the world I was doing putting sugar on toast. They had never seen it before. So I let them try a bite and had the chance to tell them about their grandpa and how he used to make this toasty treat.

Unfortunately, my children will never meet my dad on this side of heaven. He passed away while I was in the hospital, hours after I gave birth to my oldest son. It has been just over six years since the passing of the earthly father I was given, and I really miss him.

But today, over this sugary breakfast, I am thanking God for the man He picked to raise me. My dad was a loving, respectable man with the most special eyes that exuded kindness. He taught me many valuable lessons I think about often.

And although many of my dad’s old-school one-liners are not at all appropriate to share, looking back at them, I can see their deeply rooted biblical principles. For example, when I was first dating, my dad talked about keeping myself pure. Now there is plenty of scripture about remaining pure, but none use the analogy of a cow like my dad did.

My father’s wisdom has helped shape my life, and I am honored to share a few of his lessons with you.

No amount of money is worth having if you cannot be a blessing to others. So, give for the sake of giving, not for praise or attention. Give in secret, doing it for the gesture. Don’t be boastful. Give because our Father has called us to give. "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." (2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV)

Don’t sweat the small stuff, and everything is small. Worry is overwhelming and all-consuming. The “small stuff” is never worth the brainpower we give it.

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)

To do a good job, you need to have the right tools. Sometimes cheap tools lead to a cheaply done job, but the right tools allow you to get the job done with excellence.

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." (Ephesians 6:11 NIV)

One day my earthly father will greet me at the gates of heaven and introduce me to our heavenly Father. Sometimes it’s the little things that remind me to be thankful for all the lessons my earthly father taught me, setting the foundation for my life in eternity.

Today, my reminder came in the form of cinnamon sugar toast.