all about the fam

What a weekend…

You’d never imagine that a game of Mexican Train dominoes could be potentially hazardous to your marriage. Ha! Seriously though, in the midst of a little friendly domino competition with a handful of couples from church, you can learn a lot. Our friend Rick (along with being baffled by the fact that the double zero is worth fifty points) is quite possibly my only rival in the category of really bad 90’s hip hop knowledge. We learned never to play catchphrase with Rose. Also, in the future we will refrain from asking Rose about pervious catchphrase highlights…ur…lowlights. Finally, I was again reminded about the “I’m bringin it 100% authentic 24/7” policy of my brother-in-law which I absolutely love. At a table full of couples, he let us know (via belch) that the barbeque from lunch earlier was having a battle with his stomach…and winning.

And that was just Saturday night. Friday we spent the day with family in our hometown, relaxing, eating entirely too much and watching a little TV. Which brings a thought to mind…

I don’t know what your family background looks like. Maybe you come from a jacked up home where up seemed like down and vice versa. Perhaps you were raised in a home where appearances were valued above communication, relationship and reality! I don’t know your situation. I’ll tell you this though: One thing that drives me as a husband and father is knowing the value of how God can use a home where Jesus is lifted up, talked about – a home where the Bible is more than the centerpiece on the coffee table. I’m talking about a home where parents and kids alike genuinely (and imperfectly) try to live out their faith. For Steph and I, our home life wasn’t perfect, but it was good. Spending this July 4th weekend with family was yet another reminder of God’s grace in this area in our lives.

Saturday we spent the morning hacking tree limbs off of our old house. Yes, I did say “old” house. At this point we are t-minus 18 days and counting away from closing. Every fiber of my being wants to complain about home inspectors at this point. I’ll fight the urge. Use your imagination and fill in the blank here ____________________. That’s what I’m thinking. Okay, honestly, of the 87 things that (the inspector said) were horribly wrong with our ready-to-move-in-to-right-now home, we came back and said we’d take care of trimming trees, and we’d throw in a bit of cash to boot. We had a deal. This process makes me feel like I’m at a garage sale haggling over a Tommy Hilfiger shirt from 1997…50 cents won’t do – they’ll only go 45…Are you kidding me! All right, I said I wouldn’t complain.

Back to family. Saturday, I look over and Steph’s dad is sweating his butt off sawing up limbs into smaller portions to throw out on the curb. Aaron is dangling from the roof with a gas-powered saw attached to an extender reeking havoc on some poor helpless dangling branches that were in the wrong place at the wrong time. At that moment, I’m thinking, having a good family is worth its weight in gold. I wouldn’t trade my family for the world. Maybe you would. Again, I don’t know your situation. I know this, and I already alluded to it earlier. I want to absolutely be the best husband, father, brother, son, etc. that God has called me to be. Before I leave a legacy in ministry, in my work, in my bench-pressing ability (okay, so this is more like a pipe dream) or in any other sphere of life, I want to leave a legacy in my family. I think Scripture is clear that your family health is a good barometer of your spiritual health. If you will value your home, you can come to value and love the gospel of Jesus Christ. The God who gave his Son so that we could have life and so that he could be known, invites us to give our lives away as well. I think it starts in the home. It starts with your family. Gut check time. I know this, but will I live it?

As I type this, Luke is sleeping next to me on our bed (hopefully for a few more minutes). We’re definitely stretching the limits of nap time right now, but dad’s got to get his blog post written. Ha. Levi is in the other room in his crib trying to kick a bug that he’s come down with. The other day, Levi’s temperature spiked up near 104 degrees. My poor wife who’s got enough on her mind had anxiety written all over her face. To be honest, I was pretty worried myself. I just do the default male thing and hold it in. All that to say, I think our second-born (by one minute) is on the road to recovery. Today he’s still been running a bit of fever, but his countenance says it all. He’s getting well. Insert shout-out to God here.

Within minutes of each other, both my mom and Steph’s dad had called this morning to check on our son. They adore him (and his brother). They would do anything for us and for our boys. What a challenge. What a legacy. Who’s up for living for something bigger than their savings account? Their j-o-b? Their toys? Their entertainment? Who’s up for living for the sake of the gospel? Who’s up for pouring out their lives for a legit legacy that can’t be taken away? Count me in.