The Drive Downtown

My heart is full. And Tired. And very full. Every day for the past two weeks we have made at least one trip (and sometimes two or three in the same day) downtown. The best part is that they have been at the most convenient times of the day (insert sarcasm) - you know... 5pm!!! Between Birmingham Girls' Choir, Red Mountain Theatre Youth Program, Show Choir, Dance rehearsals... we have spent a lot of time in the car - but I've also gotten to spend a lot of time talking with my kids. Learning things about their days and listening to their conversations. Encouraging them and correcting them and just listening to them. Needless to say, as a family we are a little tired. 'Tis the season!

But last night, as I was wrapping up emails and getting things ready for the next day (at about 1am), I got an email from one of the people directly involved with Daniel's theatre group letting me know just how proud of him they were and how much he had really developed over the past couple of months. Of course, there was still more room for growth (which is a good thing) but I was glad to receive the acknowledgement. It came at a time when we really needed it - when you are fatigued from the work and all the preparation that goes into big events. It was also a moment for me as a dad to sit back and really thank God for the gift He had given me in my kids and about just how proud of them I am.

I am not proud of them for what they have accomplished. I am not proud because they are out in front, singing and dancing for everyone to see and hear. I am not proud because I get to step back and say... "Those are my kids!". I am proud of the way they are working to develop themselves and their talents. I am proud of their obedience and patience in the process. I am proud that they work without grumbling and do everything (well... most everything) with joy that is contagious and is felt and noticed by others. I am proud that, when things don't come easy or they receive a little tough feedback, they don't want to throw in the towel and just go back to their video games. Instead, they come home and work outside structured rehearsals so that when they return they can be more prepared. I guess proud might not be the best word, but rather humbled and thankful for what I have received through them and that God has trusted me with these precious gifts. I pray that I do my part in shaping them into the persons He wants them to be.

I heard a song this morning that really reminded me about all that we do as a family and the reasons why. The song was "Well Done" by Moriah Peters and in the song there is a phrase that says, "If people walk with me, talk with me looking for truth, they're gonna find out soon... if they're following me, then they're gonna follow You". That is my prayer and that is why we are so involved in things both inside and outside church. I passionately feel that we are ALL called to carry a light into a dark world and that when people look at us, they would hopefully see something bigger than ourselves. They would see a God who is worthy of everything we have. They would be intrigued enough to want to know who we are and why we do what we do and we would get to tell them just exactly why we are willing to make so many trips downtown when most people don't want to leave the comfort of the 3 mile radius around their house.

So today marks the beginning of performances - and the most fun part of all. From this point forward, you simply show up and "do your thing". Today, I am thankful for the trips downtown - for the preparation, for the laughs, for the naps, for the songs, for the bonding time in the middle of craziness. Sure, we get tired, but we have fun - and I would rather be exhausted from living the life God has given me than rested while life passes me by.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" Galatians 6:9