If I was once enthusiastic about the smells associated with grass freshly cut by my efforts, I’m over it. My family currently lives in a rental property with extensive land. My “half” take about three hours to mow on my landlord’s John Deere. The bouncing, spine-jerking mission is always at the bottom of my list, yet duty compels me to get on the horse.
My girls are excited about the tractor. I take them with me on rides periodically, and the times are filled with mysteriously uncontrollable giggling while I contemplate an extensive fire to the land. In my “mature” adult state, many times I miss the fresh perspective and enjoyment of a child. Yesterday was one such day.
Anna (5) and Ella (nearly 3) were taking turns riding with Daddy while Mommy wrestled with Abby (10 months) who has developed an infestation of ants in her pants. On one leg of the mission, Anna sat on my left knee quietly taking in the scenery as we were jostled about. Suddenly, she lifted her arm and began waving. Mommy and the others had gone in to prepare for dinner, so I assumed Anna was in “imagine land.” I watched as she did the princess wave, placing her hands neatly in her lap during each turn and making sure she waved on both sides of the tractor.
“Are you pretending you’re in a parade?” I inquired.
“No,” she replied.
“Who are you waving at?” I asked.
“No one,” she said simply.
“Well, what are you pretending?” I persisted.
“Nothing,” she said with slight frustration.
I relented from my questioning, and we continued on our journey. Instead of dreaming of a drought, I began trying to figure out what she was doing. We’ve always encouraged imagination, and I gladly would have joined her in it as we had done many times before. Yet, Anna was insistent that she was not pretending a thing. What then was the cause of her waving?
Then it occurred to me–it was from her heart. Anna’s heart was so full that she simply felt like a star–like a princess. On a John Deere? Yes, but more specifically, on a John Deere with her daddy. I didn’t have to play games. We didn’t even have to talk. Simply being with her daddy brought peace, wonder and deep joy to my little girl’s heart.
As parents and youth workers, we sadly have become too mature for our own good. We miss the wonder. We forget that the air doesn’t need to be filled with noise. Our days don’t have to be planned down to the last minute. Actually, we’ve become so busy that our children and our teens don’t get to experience the joy of simply being with us. We’ve forgotten, or perhaps, never realized the profound sense of joy and peace that came when Jesus said, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (
It’s imperative that we take time to be more aware of the God who is with us. We need to take a break from our talking to Him so we can hear what He is saying to us — through His Word, through our families and through our teens. As we rest in Him, our families will become sensitive to His presence because we will become more fully present with them even in the midst of the frenzied pace around us. Our growing awareness of God being near should spill over into the lives of our teens who are keenly aware of life with busyness but not fully aware of life with God.
As I’ve slowed the thoughts of upcoming Bible studies, youth group events, house chores and planning for the future, I have begun to hear God’s voice in the stillness. He is teaching me what it means for Him to be with me always. I cannot be with my wife, children or students forever, so I entrust them to Jesus’ care. I can’t even be with them to the extent that Jesus can, but I can give them a glimpse of what Jesus meant as long as I am able to be with them. You and I can focus on what they are saying rather than on the things we think we should be doing. We can evaluate our calendars and see whether we’re simply doing ministry or seeking to facilitate our youth being with Christ. Maybe we just need to stop, rest and be.
My loathing of lawn management was turned into rejoicing as I experienced something I should have been looking for all along. It’s caused me to reconsider all the menial tasks of my day and how I can accomplish them along with my children. Sure it takes more time and energy, but my girls are worth it, and nothing says love more than daddy simply being there.
