What I Learned on My Summer Vacation

Hello again! I hope your summer is off to a great start. Through a series of fortunate events, my family was able to spend the beginning of summer road-tripping Italy. All I can really say about it is, WOW!

Wow!  because my eyes can hardly drink in all the beauty and wonder of the ancient buildings and scenic landscapes.

Wow!  because my heart can hardly contain all the joy and hope that floods in when my girls, my wife, and I get to experience the deep bonding that has taken place on this prolonged and isolated adventure.

Wow!  because my mind wavers between laughter and embarrassment as I think of all the gracious promptings and provisions our Heavenly Father has granted us.

And Wow!  because, though Layah dislocated her toe, our vehicle was towed because I’m an idiot, we got lost multiple times, and I backed our rental into a stone wall, the laughter and moments of family sweetness overwhelmed all dismay. 

From the very beginning, family and marriage were hardwired into humanity by the Creator of all things. Family is meant to be an expression of God, who is three in one. But the intense individualism being fostered in our society, combined with unhealthy pace and demands, threatens to diminish the strength, beauty, and power with which God endowed the holy office of family. 

In our world today, fathers use so much energy and skill just to bring home a paycheck. It would be a beautiful thing to see that same amount of energy being used to build the bond of the family that God has entrusted to them. If fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters would lean into one another and see each other as high priority, it would bring about some seismic, positive shifts in our society. 

My family has taught me so much; and the more I pay attention to them, the more I feel the pleasure of God upon me.

I want to encourage you to look at your family as an extremely valuable investment that will bring about massive dividends in this life, and in the life to come. And I want to encourage us all to include someone who does not have a family into the families that God has graciously given us.  

Peace to you all. I look forward to preaching on Acts 12 this Sunday. 

David