Transparent Christian Magazine

My son Logan had a Christmas program last week in the gym of his public elementary school. I was really impressed at how tight and festive this group of 150, 8 and 9 year old 3rd graders behaved. The enthusiastic instructor had an uncanny command of their attention and their vocals, fist pumps and dance moves seemed to be timed perfectly.

Logan’s class was the first to walk into the gymnasium and I noticed him intensely scanning the crowd for his family.  His mom and I were shaking our hands kind of timidly like you do in these situations, and he continued to search for what seemed like the longest 10 seconds of my life.  He finally spotted us… smiled, waved and settled into his spot on stage.  He made eye contact, on-and-off during the performance, and I gave him a couple of thumbs up signs and accepting winks.

During the concert I was choking back tears and on the way home my wife Shelli asked me what was wrong.  I told her I was overwhelmed with memories of looking for my OWN parents in the crowd of my middle school during similar events.  My mother was ALWAYS there, and for that I am so thankful.

For the first time in my life, I am learning to truly focus on my family.  I have found that my life is much richer these days.  It seems that a ‘family focus’ would be such a natural act, however the world often rewards a ‘me’ mentality.

Logan was able to relax and give it his all after knowing that his parents were ‘with him.’ This settling process is what I have felt as my relationship with my Heavenly Father grows stronger. I like to think that the fulfillment I receive when I pour into my children, is similar to how God feels when he is pouring into us… and we respond to HIS ‘approving gaze’. 

Merry Christmas indeed.