It wasn't our fault! We were framed!

It was family picture time.  One of my least favorite moments.  Trying to get everyone to look normal, smile and be looking in the same direction is next to impossible with my family.  Especially if a dog is involved.  But there we were, trying to make the impossible, possible.

We, meaning I, wanted to come up with a creative way to do our family picture so I jumped on Google.com and typed in "creative family photos."  Instantly, there were dozens, actually hundreds of families who had pursued the same creative goal with their family photos.  I had plenty to look at.

I've never liked to do the exact same thing that others have done, so I picked a few options that I liked and then we tweaked one.  Each person would hold a picture frame up so that it looked like we were all in a photo, in a photo.  I called it, "It wasn't our fault! We were framed!"  I thought it was funny.

Here is what we finished with.

It all worked out.  Everyone looked normal.  Everyone was smiling.  Everyone was looking forward, for the most part.  The dog actually made it in. Finished.  All done. 

But then as I looked at the family staring back at me, it hit me.  When did my family become this family?  When did my children grow up?  Tiffany hasn't changed from her beautiful self.  I still look amazing!  But my children; when did they grow up?  It was only yesterday that they were babies.  Time flies. 

This family picture reminded me that this family won't stay like this forever.  They are going to grow up, grow older and some day move out.  Shortly, they will be having family photos of their own.  So I better make sure that I learn the lessons.  Time is short and children grow up way too fast.  Enjoy the moment and treasure each other.  So, I've decided I'm going to enjoy every minute the Lord gives me.
   

Some moments don't go the way we had hoped it would go but...

For the past four years, I've had the privilege of hunting with my son.  We would get our stuff laid out the night before and wake up early and take our seats in the deer blind.  It's usually cold outside, but that doesn't matter.  What does matter is that we are doing this together, father and son.  As a dad, I absolutely love these moments.  Hunting creates a great moment of bonding that I haven't found in other areas.  He's usually chipper and talkative as he is hoping to see some action that morning.  Will that big buck we've been dreaming of walk out for us to shoot? Time will tell.

Everything was the going as planned as we made our way to the deer stand that morning.  We took our seats, dropped the gear and I happened to glance out the side window.  About 10 yards away was a buck, standing there in the dark of the morning.  We stared each other down until he ran off about 60 yards east of us and vanished in the pines.  I looked at Luke and he looked at me and we started to get excited about what may await us that morning.

As the sun started to rise, we kept a lookout for our friend to pay us a visit.  Nothing.  It was quiet.  It was about 8:30 in the morning when I happened to see him, the 8 point buck out the front window of the deer blind.  Our friend had returned.  My heart started to pound as I told Luke to prepare himself for the blast of my shotgun.

"Dad! Dad, I can't get the earmuffs on!"  Luke was scrambling to put on his ear protection before I pulled the trigger.  You see, he hates the loud sound of the shotgun and he had asked me earlier if it was alright to wear them when I was going to shoot.  I was fine with that but when it came to the moment of pulling the trigger, I wasn't in the mood to protect his ears but instead, put that buck on my wall and some meat in my freezer. 

It's funny and aggravating how God speaks to us in those moments.  I knew I should put the gun down and help him.  I knew my son was more important and this moment was more about bonding than a buck.  So I put the gun back, managed to help him get his ear protection on in time to look out the window to find a missing deer.  Mr. 8 point was gone. I never saw him again.

We left the deer stand that morning without a prize on my wall.  But I did go home with a son who knew that he was more important to me than anything.  We were there on a mission. It was our moment.  Some moments don't go the way we had hoped it would go but we left with something much better; a deeper love for one another!

   

It's a different feeling when it's someone you grew up with.

Everything was pretty normal for me this morning.  I got up, enjoyed some coffee and toast.  Talked to my wife and kids.  Grabbed my stuff and headed to the office.  Opened up the computer and logged on to Facebook.  Pretty normal. Until...

I looked at a post.  A post from a friend that dropped my jaw.

Growing up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was a highlight of my life.  I had a wonderful childhood and made some pretty special friends.  I've lost track of many of them, but a few have remained intact.  One in particular has remained especially close. 

I met him going into the seventh grade.  My neighbor had invited our family to visit her church across town and mom agreed to bring us kids along.  We weren't your typical church kids but that first visit made a huge impression on me.  It was there I met Tim. 

We became friends instantly.  Hanging out at each other's homes.  Eating lunch together at school. Flirting with girls.  Causing trouble for our parents.  Speaking of parents, I just loved his mom and dad.  They loved God, loved their family and loved us friends too. 

So when I read that post this morning that his dad passed away, my jaw just dropped.  I help people all the time who have lost loved ones but it's a different feeling when it's someone you grew up with.  It's a little closer to home. 

I know he's in heaven and someday I'll see him again.  But until then, there is something to be learned from his life.  Something I take away from this is that life is short.  It doesn't matter how long a person lives, it always feels not long enough.  Also, treasure the moments you have with each other.  I have so many fond memories of Tim's dad.  Say, "I love you," often and take the time to put your arms around each other.

Praise God that life doesn't end in the grave.  Jesus made that possible through His death and resurrection.  We have a home in heaven that is waiting for us and one day we will see our loved ones again!       

Spending the evening with my wife and our favorite author!

I don't know if you like to read much, but you must have some interest since you are reading this blog.  Reading is work me.  I'm slow, I get bored, I lose my place and I can only read one chapter at a time.  Dr. Seuss books are the only stories I can read in one sitting.  I take that back.  I'm the master of picture of books.  My wife on the other hand, loves to read and can devour a book in no time.  Especially a book from Ted Dekker.

Ted Dekker is one of our most favorite authors.  He writes Christian fiction books in such a way, that this guy who finds it difficult to read, actually enjoys reading!  When we found out that he was coming to our area, we had to attend.  He was going to be speaking about his most current book and how that story is his story, which is our story.  We had the chance to meet him and snap this picture. He is a great guy!

 
But that wasn't the most important part of the evening.  I got to spend it with her.  That lovely young lady that Ted appears to be leaning towards is my wife, Tiffany.  To see her excited and happy is important to me.  She pours her heart into her children and that other big guy, that she sometimes doesn't get to enjoy these special treats in life.  I was happy to see her happy.  Then it dawned on me.  Why don't I do things like this for her more often? 

If you are married, when was the last time you did something for your wife to make her happy because you know it would make her happy? 

Too often I'm focused on me and I think that should change.  Perhaps 2014 will be different in that regard. To see that smile on her face more often is worth it! 

It's been 20 years and we are still best of friends!

A few months back, out of the blue, I received a text that said, "It's been suggested that a reunion for the four of us is overdue."  Who are the "four of us"?  Well, we were in High School together.  Once we all graduated, we sort of lost touch since one lives in Arkansas, one in Texas, one in Iowa, and myself in Indiana.  To get together after 20 years was an interesting idea.  That one text started a chain of events that led to the four of us High School friends making arrangements to reconnect in San Antonio, Texas, this past October weekend.

I hate to admit it, but my first thought was apprehension.  We haven't been together in 20 years.  "Will they still like me?  Will I still like them?"  Lots of things change in 20 years and I wondered if we would have anything in common.  This trip could be a huge costly mistake or it had the potential of being something truly amazing.

That first night we stayed up until 4am just catching up on work, family, faith, and stories of the past.  I hadn't laughed like that in years.  My jaw still hurts.  One of us commented, "I know it's been 20 years, but it seems like we've picked back up like we were never apart!"  I agreed.  I listened as each one of them told about their families, their careers, and their challenges they had faced over the past 20 years and I found that I still deeply cared for each one of them.

Over the next 48 hours, we built new memories. New stories to tell the next time we would be together.  Renewed relationships that time apart couldn't prevent.  And to top it off, plans to see each other again soon!

I sat in my seat on the plane thinking about the last 72 hours.  Before the trip my fear was that I was just about to make a huge costly mistake.  But what I found was a heart so full, so incredibly happy, that I couldn't help but smile. It's been 20 years and we are still best of friends!  That was truly an amazing weekend! Thanks guys!

 
 

Finding a moment with my #2

Having four children can be quite a bit of work for my wife and I to handle.  They are all growing up so fast and it feels like I don't know them as well as I'd like.  So I try to make an effort to find special moments with my kids individually.

A year ago, I brought home an old compound bow my dad had sitting on a shelf in his basement.  It looked lonely and I thought, "I could put that thing to work."  So there it sat in my bedroom corner for a year waiting for me to give it some attention.  All it needed was a little TLC and a new string.  So, after visiting a local bow shop, I was in business to start practicing. 

My second daughter has taken up archery so I thought we would do a little target practice together.  Last night we had a blast.  We shot for about an hour and it was the best thing we could have ever done together.  I watched her skip to retrieve the bow that managed to make its way to the bulls eye on a number of occasions.  Mine however, well, let's just leave it to your imagination.

Driving home, it hit me.  She and I have found our special moment together.  Archery is something that will bond our hearts together, forever.  A 39 year old father and a 12 year old daughter.  That moment hit the bulls eye in our relationship.  I can't wait for my arm to stop aching so I can try this again!

     

2 Corinthians 7:6-7

"Then the God who lifts up the downcast lifted our heads and our hearts with the arrival of Titus. We were glad just to see him, but the true reassurance came in what he told us about you: how much you cared, how much you grieved, how concerned you were for me. I went from worry to tranquility in no time!" 2 Corinthians 7:6-7

Life can be really hard and painful. It can seem that there is no way out of this difficulty. You may feel terribly alone. That is what Paul was feeling. But something incredible encouraged him. God had encouraged him which was great. God always encourages us. But someone else encouraged him. It was that other people were thinking of him too!

It's such a wonderful encouragement when someone is thinking of you and caring for you. It can take us from worry to tranquility in no time. So, how can you encourage someone today? Just take a moment and ask someone around you how they are doing. Let them know that you care about them and see God at work!
(Suggested Reading: 2 Corinthians 7)