What Life Is About

This is an eventful weekend for me.

For one, my youngest will be graduating high school on Saturday. That's a pretty big deal in itself for anyone to reach such a milestone, and we are very proud of him. But for us, it's a bigger deal, because it represents the last of our Mohicans walking across the stage. As such, it also brings to a close 23 years of homeschooling our children, which is another pretty big deal.

Then tomorrow morning, if one of my daughters arrives home from her work at a camp in Mississippi in time, I will take her to breakfast for her 21st birthday, which is another big deal. As best I can count, this will my 100th (or 101st?) birthday breakfast with my children. When you have four children age 21 and over (and two more approaching it rapidly), I think that means you're old.

Maybe the best part of the whole weekend is that from near and far, my family will be together again, if only for a day. Last night, we had all three of my grandchildren together in my home at the same time. That was a pretty big deal, too, though I suspect that won't be that big of a deal down the road when there are a couple of dozen grandchildren running rampant through our house. But for now, it brought my heart great joy to see those three precious little girls together on the same bed, and seeing their moms and aunts and uncles--and Nana--smiling with them.

It's no surprise at times like this--times of celebration, and of transition--that one does a little reflecting on what life is really about. I can't say that thirty-something years ago when I was graduating high school myself that I had any idea of what was to come, but if you had told me I would not have understood. I had dreams and goals for my life, but most of those involved what I was going to accomplish, or achieve, or attain, or acquire. None of those goals were wrong, they were just missing something. Like most 17-year old kids--and like most of those graduates who will be walking across that stage tomorrow--I just didn't get it. I'm starting to get it now.

Because in the end, it's all about relationships. That's where we find purpose and fulfillment, and it's what brings us our most joy. Relationships with family, with friends, and ultimately, our relationship with Jesus Christ, who gives meaning to all the others. In that light, I am a very blessed man, and I am very grateful.

I hope and pray you know the lasting joy of a relationship with Christ, and that you don't miss the point of investing into those He places around you. I promise you, you will never regret it.

I'm thankful for each of you, and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

--Pastor Ken

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