By Julian Newman
This past week I had a very important appointment. I was going on a roller skating field trip with my daughters second grade class. So on this Tuesday I made some room in my schedule and headed down to the roller rink. After scrambling in the door and paying my $5.00 entry fee, I stepped to the edge of the roller rink where I saw kids laughing, smiling, gliding, and falling.
I scanned the 2nd grade faces and finally found MY second grader. Her face was the picture of concentration, her forehead creased as she focused on keeping her balance. We had been to the roller rink as a family a few times, and she was usually somewhat timid on skates. But as I watched her go in circles, I could see her striding as confidently as she could, determined to show that she could do it.
I couldnt help but being proud of how well she was doing.
I called her name. She looked up and her face burst into a smile. 
Daddy! You are here! Go get your skates and come out here! she said, yelling over the music.
So I went to the counter and talked to the attendant.
They didnt have my exact size, so I would either have to rent the Ronald McDonald size skates, or go with something that fit a little snug. I decided to go with the snug fit because I left my red wig in my car.
(Just kidding…)
I sat down and pressed the skates onto my feet, and hurried onto the skating surface. My little girl was waiting for me and grabbed my hand as she went by. And we went around and around, holding hands. It was wonderful. We were in our own little Daddy/Daughter world. We skated, laughed, talked, ate roller-rink snacks (not gourmet by any means), and had a great time.
When it was time for her class to go back to school and for Dad to get on the road to the office, I bent down and told her that I had a great time skating with her. As I did she gave me a big hug and kissed me on the cheek.
Thanks Daddy, she whispered.
I hugged and kissed her on the forehead. Youre welcome.
Moments later, standing next to my car, eyes welling up with tears, staggered because of a simple hug and kiss on the cheek, I thought about how much I loved my daughters, and how one of them had just made my day. I contemplated how I smiled as she walked around being so brave on those skates, how I loved to simply see her walk. Her WALKING and doing ordinary things blew me away. I thought about when I saw her the first time when she was born. How she had grown up. Wow. She was amazing. And I couldnt help but think about how God sees us.
He smiles when we skate. Because HE loves us. We dont have to do anything extra-ordinary to impress Him.
All we have to do is skate.
Julian is the Lead Pastor of FC2, a growing community of believers where he and his wife Tiffany have been pastoring the church they were once youth pastors at for a year this March. He is a the proud father of three daughters and and an avid blogger. He loves sports, movies, books, his wife and family, and Jesus (not in that order!). You can reach him at www.diaryofadreamer.com.