I have started no less than 7-8 stories, words, etc., and the pages just stare at me. Windows open, emails open, Facebook pinging and a desktop that irritates my wife because my order is not her order. And the kids have come down here to flashing Christmas lights, snow on the ground and music about Christmas.

Innocence- Lack of guilt. No wrongdoing. Not evil.

Last night I had the opportunity to get my Christmas tree. My granddaughter, Mariah and grandson Jacob climbed in the car and went tree shopping. I had waited all week to do this. We went down to a particular tree yard and after looking at a few we selected the tree. While they prepared to cut off the bottom (When Mariah saw the 12 year old boy start that chain saw, I saw stars in her eyes.) and wrap it to tie it on the car, the kids were offered candy canes. When we got in the car Mariah said “that was really nice of them. They were really nice.” (She also told me the boy getting to run the chain saw was “pretty cool.” I think she is looking for pink construction shoes!)

And then we bought it home and were setting up the tree with family. I sat there listening to my grandson Jacob walking around the house telling me “the tree is beautiful!” (Even this morning when I went to check on him, he said to me, “Did you have a good sleep? The tree is beautiful.”)

I grew up in a different generation. I believed in Santa Claus and the tooth fairy. I fought friends over the validity of Santa Claus when I was 10-11 years old. (One snowy Christmas I awoke to find the cookies and milk gone and the carrots eaten. As I looked out the window, I saw the snow swept off the roof where the sleigh had landed.  I saw what looked like hoof prints in the snow. My parents never let me believe different.) I was innocent. My friends were innocent.

Last night my granddaughter brought her story for me to read.

My Life

My life is nothing but school, work and family. I love my family and working. When I get to work with my mom. School can be fun and it can be tough. But most of all it’s about family. My life is unfair but I love living on earth as it is today. My life could not get any better. I love my life. Maybe I have annoying brothers, a dad, a sister who doesn’t live with me but life is unfair and that is a lesson to be learned by many people including me. And I hope I learn that lesson soon and my life might be a tad bit easier. My life is hard but life is normally hard and if your life is easy you are not normal. I bet I do not know one person whose life is easy unless you are rich and have no kids. But that’s not me or my family and it never will be and that does not matter. The only thing that matters to me is my family and friends.

WOW! I will sit down with her and show her how Jesus loves her and how He can help her change things with her words and her actions, but most of all by just letting Him love her.

Yesterday, I sat here with a 4^th grader who’s favorite video games are Grand Theft Auto and Call Of Duty. No innocence found there. I know others who have grown up with violence, addictions and abuse. Loss of innocence.

And the only answer I know, that I understand is Jesus and His love being expressed through us.

I said to a handful of people that people have daddy issues. Whether they have no father or father is disconnected or hurtful or abusive. Seeing God when you struggle to see your dad is hard.

I sit here and watch my grandchildren without contact with their dads. Men who have made conscientious decisions to avoid them. How can you want to believe that God loves you when you struggle to believe your own dad loves you?

I am all for the restoration of innocence. I preach alongside others the innocence found on the cross by the shed blood of one who loved. Jesus had it all, owning everything and made the decision to come to earth to get His bride. His victorious resurrection restored all things unto Him.

People-you were found guilty and achieved innocence through the death of a man. The real gospel of love changes people.

Men. Women. If you are not involved in your children, please get a clue! They are in need of your love, your devotion. Just as you and I were in need of His love. His devotion.