cktimes.ca Archives for The Pastoral Lens
The Pastoral Lens
Family Priority
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
I was in a store recently and met up with a good friend of mine, Travis Hooper. Travis and his wife just welcomed their daughter into the world, a new sister for their son. We joked a little about lack of sleep and altered schedules. Newborns will definitely do that to you, you know. We may live busy lives with structured timelines for things but a new baby in the house can quickly let you know who's really the boss.A few years back, before any children had arrived, Travis played on the same men's soccer team as I did. He asked me if I was signed up again this year and I nodded afirmatively. When I asked if he was playing this year he smiled and said, "No way, not with a new baby in the house. I'm needed around home more this summer." Well, he's not going to get an argument out of me, that's for sure! I think Travis has his priorities in the right place. I'll bet his wife appreciates his decision, too. As a husband and father, his commitment to family must exceed that of his vocation and leisure.
Prior to my marriage to Ruth in 1990 I played in 3 separate ball leagues (fastball, slo-pitcjh, and 2-pitch). I also entered a number of tournaments. When my first child was born in 1992 things changed in my schedule. I eliminated 2 of the ball leagues and sought to orient my new lifestyle as a daddy. We eventually moved to Wallaceburg where I switched sports to soccer, and then only one night each week for 5 months out of the year. My work as a pastor also takes me well beyond the 9 to 5 routine, so I need to be constantly aware of my priorities. My wife can tell you that I am away a lot, so I still struggle in this area. Pastoral emergencies crop up often and alter our already busy family schedule. With 3 teenagers in the house, we have a calendar that is jammed full with their goings on. It didn't seem that long ago that I was up in their room playing Barbies with them and reading Dr. Suess to them. I was driving past a park in Sarnia a few days ago and remembered taking my daughters there when I used to do hospital calls for people in our church. I would bring them to the hospital and have them wait for me while I made my visits, and then we went to the park to play and have a treat at the variety store. It seems like yesterday but it was a number of years ago. Wow!
What are your family priorities? Are you so busy pursuing your dream that you are leaving behind what really matters? I know people who worked a lot of overtime when their kids were young so that they could provide a higher standard of living, but are now retired, rich...and lonely. I don't want that. I'm already rich. I have a wonderful wife and 5 precious children. Money can't buy that. They don't want my money, or my dream. They want my time. Lord, please remind me of this every single day!
