A couple years ago my Dad (who is an avid coin collector) and Mom went on vacation, and while they were gone a coin set was being released to the public called the Lincoln Coin & Chronicles Set. There were only 50,000 sets made, buyers could only buy one set each, and there was a specific day and time that the sale would start. Dad asked if I could buy that for him while he was gone. I didn’t hesitate to let him know I would take care of it.

It’s not often that my Dad counts on me for things. There aren’t many times that he asks for my help — so in order to come through for him…oh, what a feeling!!

That day came, and I sat both on the internet and on the phone trying to get my hands on that cherished set. Two hours later I got through, made the purchase, got the confirmation email, and was so excited and proud that I was able to do this for my Dad. I couldn’t wait to tell him, so I immediately called to let him know.

He was THRILLED!!!

A few weeks went by, and my Dad asked if I had gotten the coin yet. It was back ordered and was going to be sent out at the end of October – so I wasn’t terribly concerned that it hadn’t arrived yet. Then yesterday I got an email that said:

“Dear United States Mint Customer,
We were unable to process your order because the credit card charge was declined. Please contact your financial institution to find out the reason(s) why your charge was declined. Unfortunately, some of the products that you ordered may no longer be available.“

WHAAAAT?!!

That was impossible. We had the money in our account to cover the purchase, so there must be some mistake. I called the US Mint and spoke to a gal about my account, in which she informed me that there was a problem with the card, so they canceled my order and it was put back into circulation so the next buyer got it.

WHAAAAT?!!

There was nothing I could do. I tried to reason with her, I tried to plead with her — but the set that I ordered for my Dad was gone.

I immediately burst into tears. Oh how disappointed my Dad was going to be! Oh, I couldn’t bear telling him…but I had to. I finally got ahold of him, took a deep breath, and told him what happened. It was very clear how upset he was about it, and my heart broke in two.

The one time he really counted on me, and I let him down…

Oh God — how many times do we fail You?!! The heartache I have over disappointing the earthly father you gave me is unbearable … and yet I disappoint You so much worse and so much more often.

I have often heard that the way we see our earthly father is the way we perceive our Heavenly Father. I am so thankful that my earthly father, my Dad, has shown me love, patience, protection, kindness, compassion, guidance and so many more wonderful traits. I have a beautiful picture of who God truly is…and yet I take Him for granted.

Why do I not fall into great sobs when I choose to fall into sin?

Why do I not cry out when I make wrong choices that disappoint my Maker?

“who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”   Psalm 103:3-12

Oh, I praise you Lord. Please help me to truly know the pain I cause you. Help me not to take you for granted! Please give me a heart like David’s…one that truly wants to serve and please you.

Happy Father’s Day…to the best Dad in the world!!

And may we not forget our Heavenly Father on this day, the One who truly deserves our devotion and praise.

Oh…and praise God for my Mom who was able to find another Lincoln Coin & Chronicles Set.  Whew!  🙂  Thanks to moms who tend to help dads overlook our failures.   Love you both so much!!