Hi. Today I’m going to reflect a bit on my family. I’ve been tremendously blessed with a family that I don’t deserve but truly enjoy. It is good to reflect on such things all the time, but it’s properly expected this week. I do not need to think very hard, however, to come up with recent examples of such blessings. Like Friday night, when six of us squeezed into the family van and headed to church to take the family portrait for the upcoming directory. Or later that night, when we sat at the table, playing games and eating candy. Or Saturday, when I came home to find two of the kids hanging Christmas lights on the roof. Or, just yesterday morning, when I made my way upstairs to change and found just about everyone in the parents’ bedroom, helping Carrie pick my Sunday clothes. OK, “helping” is a strong word. “Helping and/or distracting” is a better description. Oh, all these examples are kind of mundane, regular life episodes. But that is the point. They were great.
If you don’t know, Carrie and I have been married 25 years and have four children, equal parts boys and girls, ranging from 14 to 22 years old. And here’s the thing: Sometime, when I wasn’t looking, they grew up. They didn’t ask, and I didn’t agree to it, but they did it anyway. So when, for instance, that family picture was taken, we asked, “Is this the last pic of all six of us for a church directory?” Probably. And when we all totally table-talked to get one kid to make the next kid draw four because they already have Uno, well that’s just expected behavior (you have to remind people what’s going on in the game when they’ve been busy acquiring candy). And when I chased everyone out of my room because I had to get ready for church, I had no doubt they’d be getting ready soon as well—they all serve, too!
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12, ESV)
I’m both proud and terrified. I mean, I’m proud of, and blessed by, my family. But I am terrified about how quickly the time has passed, indeed, is passing. Have I prepared them enough? Taught them enough? Psalm 90:12 says, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” To number our days is to count them as one would count money. Of course, our days are given to us, not earned. And we only assume how many we might have because we never really know. But a heart of wisdom knows and understands their value. “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). Apparently, left to ourselves, we don’t make the best use of time, but handle it foolishly. In order to navigate our use of time wisely, we need God’s help.
I’m grateful for the family I’ve been given and the time God has given us to be together. And even now, I’m considering how to make better use of the time as a father, while each member is at a different stage of being sent into the world to follow the path God sets before them. Honestly, I imagine I’ll still be considering this even after they’re out of the house.
God, let each member of this crew find great fulfillment in using their gifts, abilities, and time, to extend your blessings into their world, that they and others would know you better through their pursuits. And let me keep learning to guide them, to coach them, as a father should, whatever their goals and whatever life brings. Help us, six of us now and perhaps more if You grant it in the future, not to settle for evil in our days, but to use those days well, wisely, for good in the world. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.