What do you get when you mix your family with perfect weather, a beautiful camp, 300 amazing people, and a long weekend? Or, what do the Lone Ranger, Vikings, princesses, and rock and roll have in common? We just returned from a wonderful Labor Day weekend in Jasper, Georgia. Along with five of our kids we traveled to be speakers at Young Life’s Family Camp at Sharp Top Cove in the Atlanta region. What a privilege it was to share with others, thoughts about growing a healthy family. It was such an encouragement to see moms and dads hanging out with their kids. I know it is a sacrifice anytime families leave town to spend time together; but what a great investment of time, money and energy. I’ve never heard of someone lying on their deathbed having regrets for not spending enough time at the office – I know plenty of people (men especially – although that is changing) regret the amount of time spent with their kids growing up. This isn’t a time you get back. There are no do over’s when it comes to parenting. I know your job is important – especially in today’s economy, no one wants to be out of work. But remember these kids aren’t yours – the Lord has entrusted them to you for a season, and then they are gone. I remember when Alyse (our oldest) was a toddler. Kelli brought her by my office one day to visit. As she sat on my desk, she began throwing things off the desk – stapler, paper clips, papers… I’m not exactly “Monk” when it comes to neatness, but I began to get irritated. Thankfully the Lord gave me a thought that has stuck with me ever since. I told Kelli, “Someday, I’m going to wish Alyse was sitting here throwing things off my desk.” Guess what? Someday has arrived! I’d give anything to have that little girl sitting on my desk. She can throw anything she wants on the floor! But that little girl is now someone’s wife and I’m not the most important man in her life any longer – as it should be. Don’t let this season of your life pass without investing all that you can into your kids. You have to work, you have projects around the house, you need to invest in your marriage, your church needs some of your time, there are other relationships in your life that require energy, but somewhere high on your list of priorities better be the training up of your kids. You don’t get this time back – invest it wisely. In case you desire to make some changes in your family, tomorrow we are going to begin a short series of blogs on the family meeting. Until then, I hope you will prayerfully consider, along with your spouse if you are married, your vision and priorities for your family. What is God asking of you when it comes to your children. What a privilege it is to be a daddy or a mommy, but with that privilege comes great responsibility. Are you up to the challenge? The fact that you are reading this tells me you are!!!

Viking & Princess dinner night - can you really take a guy serious wearing a viking hat?