Yesterday morning I caught myself doing something that I am hesitant to admit in a church-wide email.
Yesterday, while sitting in the backyard, under the shade of an umbrella, on a gloriously mild Texas summer morning I caught myself scrolling through news articles on my phone. Who knows how long I’d been there…
Not 15 feet in front of me was my overly-joyous and easily-excitable 2.5 year old playing in his water table, talking to himself, and occasionally looking back to check on me.
Suddenly, I came out of my doom-scrolling stupor and I realized something fairly sad. I considered the fact that my son had probably turned back to me a few times with a big smile on his face only to find that I wasn’t also smiling at him. Instead, what he saw was a version of his dad that he had seen before, a version of his dad whose eyes, mind, heart, and soul had been pulled into another world - a world where he was not.
Gee Finn, that’s a little extreme don’t you think? Your 2-year old might be a little smart, but that’s a pretty complex rabbit hole to spiral down don’t you think?
Honestly, no. Kid’s brains are super simplistic, but both my firstborn and my 9-month old definitely know when they aren’t being attended to...trust me.
At that moment, I had decided that news articles were more beneficial (or at least less demanding of my full attention and energy) than playing with my boy for like 30 minutes. What was he learning from that? What am I training myself to believe about the time I have with my son?
Ultimately, it revealed that I don’t cherish time with my kids like I should. It means that I believe that the love and care I should show to my family is relegated to only certain moments of the day. It means that I believe that my distraction, comfort, and appeasement are more important than seizing every available moment I can to reflect God in the various relationships of my life.
Now, before you start yelling at the crunchy, granola, outdoorsy guy, just be honest with yourself. Do you believe that every interaction, every conversation, every smile, every moment matters?
Brothers and sisters, your Summer routines are in full swing, your vacations have begun (or soon will begin), and in only 54 days school will start back up. I know you’re tired, I know it’s hot, and I know that technology has an innate magnetism that has neurologically re-wired our brains - but you must consider a few things:
Your time on earth is limited.
Your infant won’t smile with that goofy two-toothed smile for much longer.
Your kids won’t willingly hug you and say “I love you” in public forever.
Your spouse is already waiting to see Christ’s love reflected back to them.
Your friends and coworkers deeply desire to hang out with all of you, not just a part of you.
This world could be made better with the fullness of your attention and focus.
Friends, I love y’all and I am so proud of the work you do in our homes, neighborhoods, and town. In fact, I love y’all so much that I felt compelled to write this reminder to you. Don’t let your calendar-filled Summer just fly right by. Create lasting memories. Intentionally connect with your kids, family, and friends. Remind yourself often that EVERY. MOMENT. MATTERS. Honestly, just get off your phones.
The moment I stood up and walked towards Sawyer, he squealed, jumped with excitement, splashed the water with both hands, and yelled, “YAY DADDY!” My heart melted.
I want you to feel that every moment you can because I am convinced more and more that the life God prepared for you is happening right now, right where you are, and completely on purpose (Acts 17:26).
