Growing Up

I just turned 42 less than a month ago. 42 isn’t any worse than 39 or even 35 I guess. It’s a bit harder to stay in shape according to my belly and heaving chest I experienced the other day with my son Ryan. Ryan and I have been trying to work out at the YMCA three days a week for the last couple of months. We lift weights together, laugh with each other and other guy stuff that I won’t mention in this format. I really love the time that we have been spending together.

As a father who is a Pastor, over the years I haven’t intentionally spent enough time with all of my children. I was far too often busy with “church” things to invest into their lives and I know inside they somewhat resent me and the church for stealing that time and attention from them. They should. I was wrong. I never should have allowed my own personal agenda (the desire to be a “great” Pastor) and the church, to overshadow my fatherhood promises (Not to mention how much I ripped off my beautiful wife Connie, that is another discussion).

I believe that Jennifer (23), Matthew (21) and Ryan (17) have forgiven me and we have today a really solid relationship. I am very proud of all of them and more and more I really try to tell them how much I love them.

I thinK that sometimes growing up in your salvation is as simple as getting over yourself and putting others ahead of you. I pray that it doesn’t take you as long as it has taken me to begin to understand and practice this reality in my life.
Growing up is hard and at the same time know one desires to be a 90 year old infant, do they?

Oh yea, the reason that my chest was heaving the other day was because Ryan convinced me to play basketball with him as part of our workout. Being 17 he really felt that he could give the “old man” what for on the court. In the end, well lets just say that I was breathing hard and smiling on the inside.
I’m not that old ………………… and I can still grow up.