SUMMER LAUNCH

At this stage of my life, I can’t always remember what I did yesterday, but I can provide details about where I was and what I was doing 50 years ago tonight!

I was a young seventeen-year-old and had just graduated from high school six weeks earlier. Three days after graduation, I drove my ‘63 Chevy to Philadelphia and moved into my brother’s attic for the summer. He had arranged a roofing and heating ‘helper’ job for me with his father-in-law. I made $2/hour, which was a good wage at that time. 

I was spreading my wings of independence under the watchful eye of my brother.  I worked hard hauling shingles all day and pounding ductwork together in the evenings. In addition, I cared for my boss’s yard.  It was an exciting and adventurous time!

Family Camp was ingrained in my life, so I made a short trip home for the closing weekend in July, 1969. The camp ended on Sunday night and I said my good-byes and headed for the Pennsylvania Turnpike for the six-plus hour drive back to my brother’s home. 

It was an emotional time for me as I said goodbye to my parents and many friends. I felt the sadness as I drove into the darkness of my trip. It was warm and late when I left so I rode with the windows down and my stereo system blasting. 

Suddenly, (I think it was about 10:30 PM) my station’s programming was interrupted by a special NASA report from THE MOON!   They reported that the lunar module had landed earlier in the evening and that in minutes we would be hearing from Neil Armstrong as he set foot on the moon!  

I pulled my car off the road and laid on the warm hood while gazing at the very moon where two American astronauts were about to plant the Stars and Stripes!  The excitement and wonder I felt were immeasurable!

My personal life was exploding with possibilities as this unbelievable event was unfolding. Traffic  was light as I laid in the darkness and listened to those iconic words:

“That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.“

I was in awe!   A man was walking on the MOON!  I inspected the orb with my eyes and my imagination!  

Eventually, the regular programming resumed and I continued my journey with thoughts spinning in my head!  I was young, but my adult life was beginning as I took my first steps into a future filled with endless possibilities!

GRAB ‘EM AND HUG ‘EM

I’m an observer and I’ve been observing young dads this week at Family Camp. This morning our nephew, Scott, stepped into the Thompson Park pool to assist in baptizing his 10-year-old son, Brady!  Later, I saw Marshall and Jesse and Curt and Caleb in the deeper waters. Each dad had his son on his back as they played together!  Happy boys!

It’s easy for dads to underestimate how important their affection and touch are to their kids.  Most moms are naturally open and affectionate, but we dads have to be a bit more purposeful about it.

We recently had a family over to visit. The young teen daughter sat beside her dad on the couch and leaned into him.  As I observed her behavior, I longed for him to reciprocate by putting his arm around her and pulling her close. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. But, to his defense, none of us pick up on every signal.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I believe there are four things every child longs to hear from their father:

• “I love you!”
• “I’m proud of you!”
• “You did a good job!” and
• “You can be anything you want to be!”

I sometimes said all of these things to my kids in fairly quick succession!  I wanted to be sure that they heard me say these things and knew I was 100% behind them!  

I still hug my kids when I see them!  I always kissed my boys on the cheek as a sign of my love!  I didn’t want them to ever doubt how much I loved them and how proud of them I was.  

Yep!  I’ve been pleased to see dads playing frisbee with their kids while here.  I’ve seen families sitting together in the dining hall - even when there were lots of other kids their children could have been sitting with. 

Yesterday, there were quite a few fathers who entered the ‘Tip-it’ competition with their kids!  Actually, I was on a team with Troy, Rylie and Coltin. We had a 57 year age span between me and Coltin!  We had a great time and made it to the finals. And I’m sure if Jon has been here, he’d have played too! We’re making memories here - precious ones!  

I’m proud of the dads here at camp!  They’ve taken the time to be here for this week, and they’ve prioritized time with their kids!   Bravo!  Keep up the good work, dads!  I’m cheering for you and praying for you!  You have an awesome opportunity - capitalize on it!  :-)

I SAID "NO!"

All parents have used this phrase, right?  Most of us said it repeatedly from the time our kids were young and through their teens.

It is usually said with volume and intensity!  We expect to be heard, and it's our way of letting the children know that they should stop pestering us now.  This is my final answer!

Children will always push boundaries;  it's like they're wired to do so.  It's a parent's job to stand firm, reinforce the boundaries and continue to express love and acceptance.  It's a challenging part of our role.

Using this phrase does not imply that we're angry with our children.  It does not effect our love for our children.  We do not restrict their desires or behavior because we like lording it over them.

In reality, this kind of parental boundary setting is an act of love!  We are older, more experienced and wiser.  Perhaps their maturity is not where it needs to be for this activity yet.  Or perhaps there's danger involved that they are not fully cognizant of.  Or maybe this activity will subject them to temptations and/or risks that they are not fully prepared to face.

The bottom line is:

• we know better,
• we're responsible for them, and 
• we must protect them!

As they grow and develop, children eventually come to see that our restrictive practices were for their own good.  They realize - at some point on the journey toward maturity - that we really do love them and want the best for them!  

I'd like to switch this discussion to a parallel track.

In Deuteronomy 3, Moses pleads with God to allow him to take the children of Israel across the Jordon River and into the Promised Land.  God's response to Moses is a classic, "I said, 'No!'"

"That's enough!  Don't ever bring this up to Me again!  You can go up to the top of Mount Pisgah and look to the west and north and south and east to see the land from there.  Take a good look, because you're not going to cross the Jordon River."   [Deuteronomy 3:26-27  The VOICE Bible]

This matter is NOT up for discussion!  God's mind is made up and He's not going to be changing it.

Has God stopped loving Moses?  No, of course not.

In this particular case, Moses had overstepped his role by striking the rock and saying:  "Should we (Moses and Aaron) get water for you from this rock?"  [Numbers 20:10]  You could almost hear the Divine gasp.  Really, can Moses and Aaron make water flow from a rock?  No.  Only God!  And the sovereign decision was made:  this will cost Moses his ticket across the Jordon!

God - like parents - says "No" in answer to requests sometimes.  God even said "No" to Jesus when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane and asked His Father to bring our redemption another way.

In my repeated read-throughs of the Bible, I have documented nearly twenty instances where people got the answer "No" from God. 

King David asked to be permitted to build the temple;  but God said "No".

The Apostle Paul asked repeatedly that God would remove a thorn from his side (obviously symbolic of an impairment of some kind).  God said, "No".  In this particular case, God pointed out that this thorn had a divine purpose in Paul's life - it was designed to keep Paul dependent on God!

God knows things we don't know!  He has a bigger view!  God has reasons that we may not be spiritually mature enough to understand.  It's His responsibility to love us, guide us, protect us, and grow us.

Our part in this process is to trust Him, obey Him and submit to His authority.

We've all received a "No" from God somewhere along the way.  Sometimes we get angry, or disappointed, or depressed.  We must learn to reframe these moments and compel ourselves to hold to the truth that His divine "No" is somehow for our good;  even though we may not understand His reasoning until we get to Heaven.


PS  -  Read Matthew 17:1-13, and you'll see that God finally relented and allowed Moses into the Promised Land!   😉