Friday, March 31, 2006

Family Matters


I want to take our conversation in a different direction with this post, and talk about something that’s been overlooked in many of our conversations – our families. I recently had the joy of spending a week on vacation with my family. We were fortunate that my oldest son’s spring break from college matched up with the spring break for the other kids, so we decided to take advantage of it. What a great week! It was fun just being together. I didn’t completely forget about my church or my consulting work, but I came pretty close.

And in that, I was reminded how much my family matters to me. I’m thankful for each of my kids – God has made each of them very unique, and He has taught me much through them. And I’m deeply thankful for my wife who is an incredible helpmate and companion in every aspect of my life.

The vacation reminded me of a couple of other things as well. It pointed out (again) how easy it is for me to use (and abuse) the “tomorrow” excuse with my family. There are always so many pressing priorities that I often think that quality time with my wife or kids can wait until tomorrow. Of course, tomorrow turns into next week which turns into next month … It reminded me that it’s important for me to refresh my own soul with times of relaxation.

Of course, I’ve been back almost two weeks now, and the refreshment is draining away quickly. But I’m trying to remember my lessons and find a more time for family matters. So after you read this post, turn off your computer, give your spouse a kiss and your kids a hug, and do something fun.

4 comments:

Clayton and Kelly said...

Hey Gang,

Well, after the Atlanta conference hopefully there are a few more lurkers around this blog (and maybe a new commenter as well!), since Roger and Mike did a great job of pimping it to everyone there. Hopefully, my breif comments about it didn't scare anyone off!

DivaD, great job turing off the computer. I spent the whole afternoon and evening with my wife after returning from Atlanta, and I am only writing this after she's fallen alseep on the couch. I love my wife so much, and i can't wait to take my kids out all the time. I don't know how I'm going to hold a job once I'm a parent, since I'll never be at work and always with them! I can't wait.

Mike, great insight, something that not only do we need to hear once, but something that should be consistantly brought to our attention so we never forget it. I know I'll be judged not by my ministry but by my family, and I've always got to be diligent in this crazy world to violently force myself to do that.

Mike, Roger: great job in the ATL. Can't wait to have you all in Tallahassee!

Clayton and Kelly said...

I bet everyone doesn't have time to comment because they're spending time with their family...

Roger Patterson said...

So here is my radical action in this area . . . I got rid of my blackberry!!!! It was the most liberating thing that I could have ever done (well, a little exaggeration here). I think that in the second chair we like to think that we are needed (and our job descriptions prove it), but Julee and Brady and Cooper need me more. So, bye bye blackberry!

Clayton and Kelly said...

Roger,

Still not sure if your move was biblical or not...developing...