a Thanksgiving run...

'Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts.

Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children.

Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night.

Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.'

-Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (the Message)

This past Thanksgiving holiday Hubs & I took our daughter on a road trip to meet up with our son & his wife & to visit with our families. This is a new 'tradition' for us as we have mostly spent our Thanksgivings at home, taking in a movie at the theatre & grabbing a pizza after. Yes I know this appears to be some kind of thanksgiving sacrilege but this is who we are... non-traditional... 'don't tell us how to celebrate' kind of people.

Anyhoo, we first leg of our trip took us to my parents house where after the long rainy thirteen hour drive, we decided to spend our first day just resting.

As most of you know, I've been training to run a half-marathon with my dad in January so it only made sense for us to take a short run together. His 'short' three mile run turned out to be more like six. We had a good laugh about it. My dad doesn't do technology. No computer, no cell phone, no GPS, no IPod. So his approach to running is much different than mine... it's not so much about getting in his miles as it is about spending time with God in prayer & getting his spirit ready to tackle the day.

As we ran along his route he began to share these things with me & I was stuck by something very profound. My dad was in his own way, passing to me what is most important.

Here's what I mean...

When we think about what is most important in life, what makes a life successful we find that success is measured by a lot of different things... sometimes we measure success by our careers & our bank accounts... sometimes is our homes, cars & vacations... sometimes it's our health & physical goals... sometimes its the 'successes' of our family... our parents, siblings & our children... sometimes its our charitable work or benevolence.  Don't get me wrong, these are all good, rewarding things life has to offer us but are they what truly matters?

As I listened to my dad as we ran, I began to think about him & his life. I wondered... is this how he thought his life would turn out?

My dad is a pretty big deal. In high school he was a four sport athlete (he was inducted into his high schools hall of fame for this accomplishment in 2009). He had a promising major league baseball career in front of him out of high school... while these things are amazing accomplishments, this is NOT why my dad is a big deal. He's a big deal because thru some twisty turns in life my dad met Jesus & his whole life got wrecked... for the good. That hot shot jock went off to Bible college & became a pastor. 

Here IS the big deal.

My dad's compassion & love & care for people knows no bounds. As a pastor my dad shepherds the flock God has given him so well. He's all in... visiting in homes & hospital rooms & nursing homes, praying over & with those who are hurting & celebrating life's precious victories with them. He has the most amazing servant heart. Whether its painting the ceiling in the sanctuary or shoveling the walk for a neighbor, washing dishes or scrubbing toilets, or making my mom cappuccino every morning, he's the first one to roll up his sleeves & get to work. He's the best encourager & counsellor, encouraging people to do better, to be better because they are precious to God. He's a champion for the 'least of these' & for what's right... even if it's not popular or doesn't give you the warm fuzzies. I know that my dad isn't perfect... he's pretty open about that... but it is with a full heart & eyes full of tears that I type this truth... my dad is living his life well. I'm super proud of the man he is & honored that I get to be his kid.

As we rounded that last corner towards home I realized that while I have been training for this half-marathon to honor my dad in a physical sense... the best way I can honor both my dad & my mom is by living my own life well. Not having an inward focus but by having an outward one... not by trifling with things that will not last but by investing in the things that are eternal.

I get it.

As a mom of my own grown up kids, I don't care what they do for a living, what they wear, where they live, what they drive... I don't expect them to be perfect at life or even in their faith walk...  I do so care about their hearts. That they love without thought for themselves. That they be humble & compassionate & caring & thoughtful. That they seek justice. & above all else they follow Jesus with all their whole hearts.

Jesus.

HE changes everything.

 "Everybody has a vocation to some form of life-work. However, behind that call (and deeper than any call), everybody has a vocation to be a person to be fully and deeply human in Christ Jesus.” -Brennan Manning, The Wisdom of Tenderness: What Happens When God's Fierce Mercy Transforms Our Lives