Daddy Do My Socks Match?

The school year's coming to a close and my girls and I are getting ready for another summer filled with trips to grandma and grandpa's, family outings and church camps. Summer is my favorite time of year but it's also the busiest. I find myself struggling to find time to mow the yard or weed the flower bed.

As a youth pastor, summer is filled with camps, retreats, fundraisers and trips taking my girls to their grandparents. Adding family time to that equation can be difficult. When the time comes to take a breather from the hectic schedule of youth ministry, I come home to find responsibilities and choirs that need to be done. By the time the clean-up is finished, I'm so tired that I just don't feel like going to the park or playing a game, but I do it anyway. There will be time to rest tomorrow, the memories we build today will last forever. Besides, I'll only be tired for a little while, I'll be a dad forever.

Those times when I'd like to be alone and wet a hook at the lake can wait. I'd rather take my kids with me. I won't get to do a lot of fishing, but I'll get to see the excitement in my little girls eyes when she catches a fish "all by herself." It may be a tiny blue gill, but to her, it's the greatest fish ever caught.

So I'll continue to run myself to the point of exhaustion. I'll make the most of the opportunities I have to build my relationship with my wife, daughters and students. From camping to amusement parks, car washes to car trips, I'll try to find fun in each situation. I'll drink lots of coffee and sleep when I can. I'd sure love to have a hammock, but I doubt I'd use it. I'll just get a bigger coffee pot and drink some unsweet tea. Gotta love summer!