Making Time...

We are officially over half way to our new home in Foxboro, MA! Every state the kids and I cross is like a little celebration with some yelling, congratulating and doing the wiggly finger hand shake. We’ve had emergency candy stops, impromptu dance parties and a stop at the Salina, KA zoo where Eli said, “Look dad! That kangaroo is putting the other one in its pouch!” Which really was not what was happening. At all.

All of this has been a great wake-up to this simple by immensely important truth: I need time in order to connect with my kids. Not just five minutes here or there, but they need a lot of time. Being tired, worn-out, etc does not pass as an excuse to not spend quality and quantity time with my kids. And because it is so important, I need to have a plan of attack for each day how I am going to spend quality and quantity time with them. Because the truth is, I only have one shot with my kids. I only have one shot to show them what it means to be a godly man/husband/dad. In thirteen years, Eli will be out of high school- and then he’s on his own to implement what I’ve taught him. So my plan is to shave out thirty minutes after work everyday (or until dinner is ready) and just get crazy with the kids. Because without that time, my words won’t carry much weight.

And as much as this has been impressed on me, God has been rocking my world about how much more important (even more important than spending time with my kids) it is to spend quality and quantity time with my wife! The best way I can be a great dad to my kids is by being an even better husband to my wife. Which means dates, and lots of them. It means giving her quality time by herself and time for us to be Bonnie and Hero. Remember 1 Peter 3:7? And even though it may be hard to chisel out time, chisel out I must. If it as valuable as God seems to make it, then it should be my number one investment. 

Until next time...God’s peace to you.
-Justin

Goodbyes

3,040 miles in a couple of days sounds good. Throw in my five year old son Elijah and two year old daughter, Evangeline, and it sounds awesome! I love road-tripping, but having the two kids with me makes it even better knowing that we’ll share some great memories together. 

But before we could get into the car and take off, I had to say some very painful good-byes. All of the hugs and tears of leaving all those whom I’ve invested so heavily and not knowing who will take my place. Leaving all those who have been family to me over the last 17 years. Leaving my stupid dog whom I already stinking miss. Leaving my best-man and so many other great friends. And leaving my parents, who have been my sponsors, mentors and cheerleaders all these years. I was picking up one last thing at the church and dropping off my keys when the blubbering started. It was a little gross to be honest. 

In the midst of all of the pain and heartache, I’ve been reminded of a couple things:

One, the call of God does not equate to an easy life. I’ve heard that the will of God is the safest place to be. Are you kidding me? Following Jesus means death. I say that with a smirk, but it’s true. Being in the will of God is the best place to be, no doubt. But not the safest- it requires sacrifice and pain and a bit of recklessness. 

Two, death always leads to life. This is one of the great truths that we who follow Jesus have to hold on to. Obedience doesn’t mean easy, but it always, unequivocally, without fail leads to life. Saying good-bye and actually leaving was like trying to wrench off a wedding ring from an old man that had gained 50 pounds over the years- not easy. But even though it was hard, it was right. 

The fam and I have been called to serve an amazing community of people and it’s obedience to this call that somehow makes the dying worth living. It makes it life-giving. 

So, tonight, the kids and I are in a little town called Beaver, UT. They are asleep in bed and I’m typing this...and I can honestly say that we are going in the right direction. Only 2,500 miles to go :)

-Justin