Elemental: S2 - Day 27
Matthew 10:40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes Me…”
Caryl Lynn and I always wanted children. So over eight years, we had three and our lives filled with joy. We were young, and there were diapers and onesies, Playmobil® sets and Legos, tea parties and trampolines. We loved our time together at summer camp, Ocean City, and Christmas at Grandma and Grampy’s. There were always lights on at our house (oh, the electric bill) and usually laughter.
As a boy, I noticed the house in the neighborhood where all the teens hung out on the weekends. I remember thinking, “Wouldn’t it be great to be the cool parents with the fun house where everyone collected?” So quietly, over time, I built a fantasy that our children would prefer to bring their friends and spend time with us rather than escape, create distance, and be away. For the most part, my dream came true.
Now, several decades and the life of one chocolate Labrador Retriever later, we wake up in a quiet, empty nest. Our children are scattered across the country. But we all plan to spend an August week in Michigan. Then, for Thanksgiving, we’ll collect in California to eat turkey and celebrate some birthdays. And finally, everyone will gather for Christmas at our house here in Tennessee. It will be glorious—the game playing, music, special meals, galloping footfalls of two dogs, and even an argument or two. We love each other and still prefer spending our time with this little handmade community.
But today, there’s a missing texture from the picture of the family I painted years ago. We went to church. We sang Bible songs in the car, read the Chronicles of Narnia, and prayed the Lord’s Prayer before chasing our kids to bed. We had Bible studies in our home and a “Heaven Party” one weekend (the kids designed it). We loved Jesus together.
Now each of our children is disconnected from organized church. I don’t feel confident saying they want to walk with Jesus. And we’ve decided it’s not Mom and Dad’s place to regularly remind them of, or invite them to, spiritual things. They know what we believe. We are called to walk beside them.
So, if my child doesn’t intend a life with Jesus but wants to spend time with me knowing I’m walking with Jesus, play that scene out in your mind—my child, me, and Jesus. Somehow faith is flowing like an electric current. It’s a little mystical, a calculus I don’t fully understand. But I’m counting on it. I believe there is unique spiritual power in community; salvation through connection—for “anyone who welcomes us, welcomes Jesus…”
1. What is one of your favorite family games?
2. How close is your life to what you dreamt? Why is that?
3. Who are you presently trying to carry to Jesus?
Caryl Lynn and I always wanted children. So over eight years, we had three and our lives filled with joy. We were young, and there were diapers and onesies, Playmobil® sets and Legos, tea parties and trampolines. We loved our time together at summer camp, Ocean City, and Christmas at Grandma and Grampy’s. There were always lights on at our house (oh, the electric bill) and usually laughter.
As a boy, I noticed the house in the neighborhood where all the teens hung out on the weekends. I remember thinking, “Wouldn’t it be great to be the cool parents with the fun house where everyone collected?” So quietly, over time, I built a fantasy that our children would prefer to bring their friends and spend time with us rather than escape, create distance, and be away. For the most part, my dream came true.
Now, several decades and the life of one chocolate Labrador Retriever later, we wake up in a quiet, empty nest. Our children are scattered across the country. But we all plan to spend an August week in Michigan. Then, for Thanksgiving, we’ll collect in California to eat turkey and celebrate some birthdays. And finally, everyone will gather for Christmas at our house here in Tennessee. It will be glorious—the game playing, music, special meals, galloping footfalls of two dogs, and even an argument or two. We love each other and still prefer spending our time with this little handmade community.
But today, there’s a missing texture from the picture of the family I painted years ago. We went to church. We sang Bible songs in the car, read the Chronicles of Narnia, and prayed the Lord’s Prayer before chasing our kids to bed. We had Bible studies in our home and a “Heaven Party” one weekend (the kids designed it). We loved Jesus together.
Now each of our children is disconnected from organized church. I don’t feel confident saying they want to walk with Jesus. And we’ve decided it’s not Mom and Dad’s place to regularly remind them of, or invite them to, spiritual things. They know what we believe. We are called to walk beside them.
So, if my child doesn’t intend a life with Jesus but wants to spend time with me knowing I’m walking with Jesus, play that scene out in your mind—my child, me, and Jesus. Somehow faith is flowing like an electric current. It’s a little mystical, a calculus I don’t fully understand. But I’m counting on it. I believe there is unique spiritual power in community; salvation through connection—for “anyone who welcomes us, welcomes Jesus…”
1. What is one of your favorite family games?
2. How close is your life to what you dreamt? Why is that?
3. Who are you presently trying to carry to Jesus?
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