Remember When...

Over the past two weeks, my family has been a little bored.  My 11 year old daughter, Stephanie, had her tonsils removed and we were told to keep her quiet for two weeks.  No swimming, or running, or rough housing.  Did I mention that she was a tomboy?

Her brother, Daniel, has missed his "buddy." Yesterday, after eating lunch, the two of them went out on the back deck for some fresh air. My youngest daughter had left her bubbles outside, and before long they were having a blast! Bubbles were flying and they were using ninja moves and annihilating those tiny missiles! They were laughing and having so much fun, I decided to sit down in my kitchen chair and just watch them.

Toward the end of their bubble wars, my daughter said, "You know, I had forgotten how much fun bubbles could be!"

As we age, we are expected to mature - which is a good thing. But why does maturing mean giving up fun? It seems as if mature adults don't know how to kick back and enjoy the little things, like bubbles! Laughter is good for the soul, and for relationships.

When is the last time you and your spouse laughed together? The older I become, the harder my life seems to be. A seriousness has taken over where I used to be lighthearted. So, today, I will remember what used to make me laugh.

Date idea:

Plan to talk with your spouse about the things that used to make both of you laugh. Reminisce together about a time when you felt lighthearted and joyful. Then, try to replicate one of the events. It doesn't matter if it seems childish - let yourself go and just have FUN laughing together! Try to pick two events, one from each of your memory banks.

Live, Laugh, Love!

SIDE-BY-SIDE COOPERATION

Joshua 1:7-9
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Romans 14:9-11 The Message

That's why Jesus lived and died and then lived again: so that He could be our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free us from the petty tyrannies of each other.
10-11 So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I'd say it leaves you looking pretty silly—or worse. Eventually, we're all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God.

______________________

Visiting Bar Harbor, Maine this past week gave food for thought in the way of instructions and working side-by-side within a group, especially within a family. Just across from Bar Island these one-time-Kayakers were given instruction by the young woman [Instructor] seated in the first picture [above]. She reminded me of Moses, instructing the Israelites, or a Mom instructing her kids about something important. I have never Kayaked myself, but as I eavesdropped on this conversation between the instructor and her 'students', I was amazed at the things she told them.... like: "whatever the person in front of you does - mimic that," and "keep a close eye on the other kayaks and the people beside you and in front of you. They will give you a 'heads up' as to what comes next," and "stick closer than a brother so you won't drift away."

These simple instructions reminded me of the family unit - especially with brothers and sisters. As parents we are to instruct our children in the way of the Lord from His Word. Then it is up to those children to respond in cooperation and obedience. Instructions must be taught. There is no way around that. Without these instructions there would be chaos, possible harm, and disunity. Those instructions would prove beneficial for the entire group of kayakers, as well as in the family unit - and to ALL who follow through in cooperation and obedience.

Choosing JOY,

My Son

MY SON

I just spent a week at a Bible camp with a young father, mother and their 18 month old son. Through the course of the week I never heard the dad use his son’s name. When addressing his boy or talking about him he always said, "My son."

The mom and son stayed in a camper while the dad stayed in a cabin with a bunch of teenage boys. So, the first thing every morning he came into the dining hall, walked to the spot where his family sat, and asked, "Where is my son?"

When his wife brought his boy into the room he would say, "There is my son!"

When a newcomer to camp would ask him who the little boy was he would answer, "My son."

What spirit do you think this dad demonstrated toward his son and was felt by everyone around? Pride (the healthy kind), joy, gratitude. His delight in his son was inescapable. His face lit up when he saw the boy and he proudly said, "My son."

I spent a week with this dad and never once heard him say the boy’s name. It was always, "My son."

Fifteen years from now when, as a teenager, this boy is faced with the trials and temptations typical of that age, he will have a resource to help him through those tough years: a dad who loves and takes pride in his children. That awareness will sustain the boy and may even lead him to approach his father and say, "Dad, we need to talk."

The foundation for such a relationship is being formed now in the dad’s unabashed joy in his son.

What else can we do with our small children to form the bonds of meaningful relationship with them?

Warren Baldwin