When Dad Comes Home

I recently attended a Christmas party in Florida for kids of incarcerated parents and their caregivers at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For several years, this church has provided kids with Christmas gifts, pictures with Santa, and a clear presentation of the Gospel  - both in word and deed. It was a blast!

At the party, kids made cards to send to their incarcerated parents. Craft stations were set up with stencils, beads, paints, stamps, felt banners, and cards of all types. Every kid had the chance to say "Merry Christmas" to mom and/or dad.

I sat down next to a little boy - maybe 6 or 7 - and asked him about the card he was making. He had decorated it with cowboy images - horses, cowboy hats, and boots. I asked him if his dad liked horses. He told me that his dad had worked on a cattle ranch, and that when his dad came home he would work there again. I asked him if he visited his dad and he silently shook his head, "no."

I saw he was working on another card and I asked him if he was sending his dad two cards. "No, this one is for my uncle." My heart sank. This little boy, who should be playing catch with his dad - or his uncle, in the absence of his dad - was sending these men cards in prison. They would not be playing catch with him any time soon.

As I talked with him a bit more, the announcement came that the program was starting. He turned to leave and suddenly turned back and gave me a quick hug. I guess he hugged the closest thing to a dad, or an uncle he could find in that moment, as he thought of them and wished they were with him. That hug belonged to one or both of them.

This Angel Tree party was a bit of healing for that boy and the other 200 kids there, but they weren't the only ones to benefit. The caregivers of these children received gifts and praise from the leaders. These families were offered support and care from the church, and many will accept it gratefully throughout the year. The Church took home the blessings God gives when we serve as Jesus did. And at least one little boy took home a hug.

Me? I took home the motivation to make sure more and more kids, of incarcerated parents, receive the touch of Jesus. I took home a commitment to tell caregivers that there are local churches that will help them. I took home a desire that parents in prison stay in contact with their kids, so that reconciliation can happen when they are released, and that families are put back together.

Way to go First Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, and all your fantastic volunteers. You made an eternal difference!