When I was a little kid I remember one Sunday having a terrible cold and sore throat. Since it was a Sunday, we headed to church and my parents dropped us off at our Sunday School classes. But, before my dad left me, he gave me a lifesaver to “help my throat.” Once we met up for “big church” later on, he was slipping them to me throughout the whole service. I had never been so happy to be sick!
I will never forget that memory either because it was such a tangible way that my dad showed love to me. Other than the fact that one of my love languages is candy, my dad knew that I was feeling lousy and went out of the way to buy something that would make me feel better. And to make it even better, I was the only one getting them. He was literally slipping them to me secretly, like it was my own special medicine.
To this day, I buy a pack of Lifesavers whenever I have a cold. In fact, when I thought about what I should pack for this six weeks in England, you better believe that Lifesavers were on the list. I actually did end up with a cold this week and was glad that I had them! I failed to bring any cold medicine, but the Lifesavers seem to be working.
And this morning in church, when I felt a cough coming on and slipped one in my mouth, I smiled thinking of my dad and that Sunday over 20 years ago.
I love you, Daddy!
