Take A Close Look At Your Kids...

If you have been following the blog throughout this week, you’ll recall that I mentioned different conversations that my wife and I had with some of our kids.  Well, this was one of those great times where we actually had the pleasure of having extended conversations with each of our four children in one week.  Since they are literally scattered from coast to coast, this was kind of a unique experience for us! 

On Monday we got to have a live video conversation (via Skype) with our older daughter in North Carolina, and then later in the day, spend some time with our youngest son in Oklahoma.  On Tuesday it was with our younger daughter also in Oklahoma and yesterday I spent some time reminiscing with our oldest, Josh, who lives in the central valley here in California.  Josh was telling me about the upcoming church youth retreat to be held this weekend in Tahoe, where he and his best friend were asked to lead the praise and worship services at each of the sessions during the camp.  I believe that he said that this was the seventh year in a row that this particular church has requested him to lead the musical worship portions at the retreat.  As we delved into the details of his preparations and plans for the various services, I was drawn back down memory lane to the late 1970’s when I led music services for a few years at a regional Baptist youth snow camp.

As I later discussed our conversation with my wife, I began to realize just how special it is to have a son that is experiencing some of the same events that I had when I was his age.  Now, please don’t get me wrong here…  My son can run circles around my level of expertise on the guitar.  While I can pluck a tune, keep a good rhythm and lead a group of individuals in song, Josh can make a guitar sing and lift up the congregation until they literally sail right into the very presence of the Holy of Holies!  But nevertheless, it is pretty cool to see your son as a chip off the old block!  All of our kids are musical and can play a multitude of instruments.  (They get that from their mother!)  They have all used their talents in the church and have been a great blessing to many.  It is really something to be able to look and see the things that you have helped to put into your kids as they bud and then blossom in the world around them.

As the multifaceted events of this week begin to come to a close and the weekend unveils itself before you, I would encourage you to spend a little time reminiscing the good things that you have accomplished in and with your families.  Many times we dwell only on the negative events and fail to see the good that is popping out all around us!  Maybe some of it is disguised, but believe me, it is still there.  Be an investigator if you have to, pull out the magnifying glass and seek out the positive actions that your family is emanating due to your direct influence on their lives.  Matthew 7:7 says to “search and you will find…” (Gods Word©) You’ll probably be surprised in that the more you look the more you will find!  Then, sit back and savor the moment.  Stay tuned and keep asking yourself…”What am I expecting today?”