A Depth Chart of One

I know it may be hard for you to believe, but I have not completely lost my memory. I can remember, when I was much younger, going to see my daughter, Audrey, play her Clarinet in concerts and then later watching her direct the high school Marching Band as the Drum Major. I can also remember going to gymnasiums to watch Emily play volleyball in high school and then later in college. As a parent, I can assure you that it did not matter how many members of the band were on the field — I could always find Audrey. And, in the same way, it did not matter how many players were on the volleyball court — I could always find Emily. I could locate them by the way they marched or walked or ran among all the other band musicians or team members.

Some parents say that the reason we can do that whether we are at a competition or a concert or sporting event is that we have a “Depth Chart of One.” That is, you are only watching for just one child: your child. Yes, there may be many other band members or dancers on the stage or several other players on the field, but you are keenly interested in only one, your son or your daughter.

When I read passages of the Bible, I believe that is the way God sees each of us. I think we forget that He looks at us, or watches us in the same way, that we look at or watch our children. The Bible even says so in Matthew 7:11, “If you, who are human, know how to love and give good gifts to your children, how much more will God give good things and lavish His love on each of us.” He loves us! That is because He also has a “Depth Chart of One” when it comes to each of us. He loves us beyond measure! He loves us so deeply that He sent His only Son to be our Savior. And it is during this Christmas Season that we celebrate His love towards us.