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Building Memories
“You guys go on without me. You'll have a great time—I’m sure of that. Sorry, family, but I have to work.”
The place? Montgomery, Alabama.
The time? Several years ago.
The situation? A dad, who really loved his family and wanted them to enjoy a summer vacation, had to work. The press of business kept him tied to the office. But being committed to their happiness, he assured them of his desire that they take the trip and enjoy the fleeting summer days.
He helped them plan every day of the camping trip. They would load up the family station wagon, drive to California, camp up and down the coast, and then travel back home together. Each day was carefully arranged—even Place they could travel and the places they would stop. Dad knew their whole route, the time they were to reach each state—planned almost to the hour—even when they would cross the Great Divide.
It's what he did tell them that made the difference.
The father took off work ( he’d planned it all along) Hand arranged it to have himself flown to an airport near where his family would be on that particular day of the trip. He had also arranged to have someone pick him up and drive him to a place where every car on that route had to pass. With a wide grin, he sat at his sleeping bag and waited for the arrival of that familiar station wagon packed full of kids and camping gear. When he spotted the station wagon, he stood up, stepped out onto the shoulder have the road, and stuck his thumb out.
Can you visualize it?
“Look that guy looks just like…DAD!”
The family assumed he was a thousand miles away, sweating over a stack of papers. It's amazing they didn't drive off into a ditch or collapse from heart failure. Can you imagine the fun they had the rest of the way? And the memories they stored away in their mental scrapbook—could they ever be forgotten?
When later asked why he would go to all that trouble, the usually creative father replied, “Well…someday I'm you're going to be dead. When that happens, I want my kids and wife to say, ‘You know, Dad was a lot of fun.’”
Talk about a unique domestic game plan! What an outstanding model of a father who wants to be remembered for more than just the basics…
“… Turn out the lights.” “Did you get the bed made?” “Get out there and cut the grass.” “No, we can't. I gotta work.” “How much does it cost?” “That's too much trouble, dear. Let's be practical.” “Hold it down—I can't hear the news.”
Oh—but there's so much more in life! The beautiful music of living is composed, practiced, and perfected and the harmony of home. The freedom to laugh long and loudly… the environment to participate in creative activities… the spontaneity Every relaxed relationships that plant memories and deepen our roots in the rich, Rare soil of authentic happiness. Couldn't this be included in the “all things” Paul mentioned in Romans 8:32 1 Timothy 6:17? The apostle Paul tells us that our God “richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.”
We're missing it—God’s best—if the fun memories are being eclipsed by the fierce ones. The world outside the family circle is dark enough. When the lights go out within the circle… how great is the darkness.
If life with mom and dad has become more of an endurance course then a refreshing catalyst, then your prime-time project isn't too tough to identify. Too many of us are beginning to resemble stern-faced East German guards patrolling the wall rather than approachable, believable parents, building happy memories. And maybe even a few crazy ones, too. Don't worry, God can handle it. He's got a great sense of humor. He made you, didn't He?
I’d much rather my brood Remember Me as the dad who tossed their mother fully clothed into the swimming pool—and Lived to tell the story—than the preacher who frowned too much, yelled too loud, talked too long… and died too young.
Deeping Your Roots: 1 Timothy 6:17; Luke 15:22-32; Psalm 145:3-7
Branching Out: 1.) Do something creative and special today with your family, a friend, or a coworker, that is totally unexpected and will always bring back a fond, wonderful memory. 2.) Bring your camera out of hiding and take some candid shots of someone you like. Get the film developed and create a mini scrapbook for them.
In Him,
