My five year old got in a bit of trouble this morning and said to me with tears, "I don't like being my age because I do so many things wrong." So we talked about sin and forgiveness and Jesus.
He was running through the house a few minutes later, happy and playful. I called him into my home office, tears over his own sin still in my mind, and gave him a big hug and said, "I love you buddy." He responded as he always does, "Me too." Then he said, "Dad, can you stop saying 'I love you' so much? You say it too many times." Precious.
Now, as I'm about to leave the house I shouted good-bye to everyone and my five year old shouted back, "I love you! I love you so much! I love you more than Playmobil toys!"
Having kids teaches me so much about life, love and God. What a gift.