A Meal for Daddy

It doesn’t take much to get a child excited about encouraging or helping someone else in a special way. Earlier this week, I had some excitement in my voice when I asked the kids, “Hey, would you like to help me make one of Daddy’s favorite meals?” Of course, they said YES! I believe there were two reasons for that...

(1) They knew we would be having some fun, quality time in the kitchen...working with our hands, spending time together, learning how to cook, and don’t forget taste testing everything that we make.

(2) They also knew we would be doing something special for their Daddy, whom they love and want to please.

So, with all that in mind, we set up to begin making Baked Spaghetti.... First, the kids sliced some green olives while I boiled a pot of water.

Once the olives were done, the kids helped put the spaghetti into the pot. Then, we prepared the baking pan and found the other ingredients we would need. After draining the cooked spaghetti, they both helped mix in the sauce and olives. The mixture was poured into a large baking pan, then the kids had fun sprinkling cheese all over the top (and mushrooms only on half, since Daddy is the only one who likes them. Yuck!).

Then, wahlah! We were done! The only thing left was to allow it time to bake in the oven, ready to be eaten when Daddy got home from work. Well.... aside from washing the dishes - and the kids actually did most of that as well! Our son will do anything if he gets the chance to play in the water. Ha!

The kids were so happy about the job they did, and were excited to tell Daddy what we were having for supper. By making one of his favorite meals, they took the time to not only TELL their daddy they loved him, but to also SHOW him. I know it was satisfying for them to see their daddy was pleased with his meal. It was also satisfying for me to have given my husband some positive attention after a hard day at work.

Doing something special for someone doesn’t have to happen only on a holiday or special occasion. It can (and should) happen OFTEN throughout the year.

1 John 3:18 – Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (NIV)

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