I recently have been reminded about the importance of spending time with family. Nothing monumental, but a simple reminder that even when you think you are taking enough time, you prbably are not. With the amount of time one spends doing everything else, being intentional about spending time with your family isn’t easy.
And of course there are all the distractions that also come form living in a modern world that one didn’t have to contend with in the past, such as receiving a text message. Of course, these can be ignored, but what is it that compels us to answer the phone in the middle of the conversation?
I just returned from a week at camp with Andy, my step-son who is a US Marine, Nicholas, who is quickly moving from his pre-teen years to his teen years, and Gillian, who is at that stage where she completely adores me. Maggie stayed home and enjoyed a relatively easy week of doing what she wanted, when she wanted. She did a lot of work around the house since she is a do-er, but also enjoyed reading a book on the couch without interruptions.
It was a joy spending the weeks with the kids. I was so proud of Andy being a counselor. He was excellent, one of the best I have seen in my many years of working at camps and a blessing. Nicholas and Gillian both had a great time, wanted more free time to do camp activities (and should probably have had more…something for the evaluation form) and invited me to sit with them at meals, and even sat on my lap at times.
We came home and hung out, went together to get fireworks, and Gillian and I went bowling which was a lot of fun! Enjoying the simple pleasure of spending time with family is something I am re-learning. I hope and pray that I can learn quickly!
