Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Legacy: Part 1, The Past

Dropping off my daughter at Kindergarten this week has forced me to think about legacy. I don't mind thinking and talking about the best of what I can give my children that would influence and establish the next ring of the tree trunk, but as I watched Lara run up the sidewalk and excitedly enter her classroom, I was reminded of how little time I have with her. Knowing my time constraints, I have little choice but to act quickly and with precision to communicate (mostly through demonstration) to all our children the things that matter.

I believe in God's generational plan. More clearly stated in Exodus 20.5 it reads: "I , the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments." I remember in my early days of faith understanding that God's intervention in my life wasn't just about me but about multiple generations. I'm sure that as a high school and college student I didn't fully comprehend the implications of what it means to be connected to generations of people both past and future. I'm confident that I still don't fully understand. This viewpoint, in some ways, gives the impression that what I do (my assigned generation) is of minor consequence compared to the work of my lineage as a whole. Not having complete control of the ultimate whole of God's plan, my leaf in the family tree is just that, a leaf, a single part of the whole tree. From the opposite view and surely a more complete view, what I do plays a role in the outcome for the next generation beyond. I expect a sarcastic "No kidding" as that last concept rolls past your brain. I know, I know, Who would disagree with that notion?! Just wait a second. Maybe we understand this presumption in too simplistic of terms.

Here is what I mean. As a person, am I limited in the resources inherited or passed down unintentionally from the generation before? If I would have done nothing in my life but mimic the values, decisions, lifestyle, environment, etc. of my parents (the demonstrated example they set) would I be a replica of who they are? Of course, there are no exact copies of any single individual, but each of us, I believe, carry fibers of the individuality of those to bore and raised us. Assuming that concept is true, how much of our own individuality (created through our own experiences) mixed with the traits we inherited, effect the family tree on the whole? How much of an impact does hard work, creativity, faith, study, etc. (any such traits that were not directly passed down) feed or kill the growth of the legacy of an individual or the heritage of a family?

Because my parents laid a strong foundation, they are apart of who I am. Not exclusively, but a significant part. Now it is up to me to build upon what was passed down starting with acknowledging the value of what they have given and connecting these important and valuable traits with new valuable stuff that my personal experiences are teaching me. In matters of a fully cultivated and flourishing family tree a single generational view does not suffice. Singly focused on embracing the past or just making aggressive plans for the present only keep the tree alive. Is my short time here about survival or about realizing and experiencing the love of God for a thousand generations?

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Odds & Ends

The family and I have returned from vacation and found ourselves more entrenched in busy life than ever. Our trip to Nashville was great and now hindsight is telling me that it came at the perfect time. Lara starts school on Thursday. Jack starts soccer on Saturday which coincides with the beginning of my soccer coaching career. Hilary and I joined a small group study this week (that assigns weekly homework!). And my training regimen has ratcheted up, being that the Chicago half marathon is only 4 weeks away.

Nashville
We had a great time visiting my aunt Carol for a few days as we enjoyed a low key vacation. The kids enjoyed the planetarium at the Adventure Science Center, the park, and of course, hours at the pool. Hilary and I were able to visit some friends who just recently moved to the area from Cincinnati as well as Hilary's college roommate. My aunt Carol was a generous and gracious host in spite of our family of 5 invading her house. Cooper found the fish and pug dogs to be the highlight of his trip.

Dark Knight
My wife took me to the movies while we were away. We had been wanting to see (especially me) the sequel to Batman Begins, which of course, is the best movie I have seen in a long while. I'm not sure what the critics are saying (I don't really care anyway!) but I thought the sequel was every bit as good as the first. I can't use the word 'enjoy' because of the violence and themes present, but I can say that it was well done and thought provoking. Watching it was sort of like reading a good novel knowing that the scenes and characters are made up but understanding that the story itself provides the platform that revels real life dilemma, conflict, and philosophical crossroads that we all experience. This movie has tremendous artistic value. I recommend the Dark Knight if you are ok with dark, story driven films. It is not a film for children even though the main characters have been plucked from a comic book series.

Financial Peace University
We agreed to join this small group study with our friends on our street at their LDS church. Hilary and I have been eager to analyse and complete Dave Ramsey's approach but just haven't done it. Now is as good a time as any I suppose, especially since this vacation has exhausted our checking account. We actually got to meet Dave Ramsey while we were in Nashville. Hilary's college roommate works for Dave and she was able to introduce us as we got the tour of the studio. Apparently Dave actually practices what he preaches on the airwaves. As we toured the studio and surroundings, Dave was eating his leftovers from his plastic food storage container. Encouraging and impressive!

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Caught Off Guard

God appears and speaks...to me. I have been reminded as I process my thoughts, emotions, and surroundings that I have it sooooo made. Last night I was on a 3 mile run and I found myself praying. I asked for safety for me and my family. As soon as I uttered those words I immediately felt foolish. Physical safety is the least of God's concerns. The God who created the entire universe wants my heart, attention, and worship. I began to think about these things and as I prayed, God reveled to me the insignificance of my worries. As the Lord continues to re-shape my perspective I'm learning to consider the hugeness of God's authority in comparison to my individual baggage. When put in proper perspective I know that work, family, finances...life isn't so hard. Or at least it doesn't have to be. Let me suggest a review of Exodus 14 as Moses leads the Israelites on their exodus. Although it's a difficult thing to compare a trailing enemy army to the individual daily worries that we experience, the point is that as life happens God is not surprised or caught off guard. I was the one caught off guard as God met me on the trail.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Restless

I'm in that place again. Restless. This seems to happen far too often. The good comes with the bad but right now the bad seems overwhelming. I've been restless for some time now (months) but haven't confessed. Most days I come home from work physically tired and emotionally weak. What I've learned about myself in these restless periods is that in my vocational work purpose far outweighs amenities. As is usually the case in moments of vulnerability, my dependence upon God has intensified.

Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you (Genesis 12.1, NASB)." Recently this verse reminded me of the Lord's appeal for adventure. That's the good part of being restless; knowing (at least hoping) that there is a new challenge ahead. I think that's why this directive of God to Abram brings me comfort; that the unknown is known by God. So, in my restlessness I wait for God to show me what I need to be doing.

In the meantime I ask, "Is contentment contingent upon purpose and passion?" "Can satisfaction come with simply being?" "Is it selfishness that brings about restlessness (jealous for something else) or is it God communicating the next phase of His ultimate plan?" God has created complex creatures-us human kind folk. If we could figure "us" out I suppose "we" would figure that would be reason enough not to need God. Good thing God is present, pointing us in the right direction; showing us where to be and what to do.