I am convinced that most parents want what is "best" for their child. The parents that I know, love their children, most of them fervently pray through big decisions in their lives, and most spend a lot of money to help their child gain valueable life experiences. We went to a football camp on the beautiful campus of Samford University last weekend and I observed how parents of all races and backgrounds were there to support their child. As I watched some were nervously anticipating their child's "time" on different drills, I also watched others literally yell instructions from the stands. The bottom line is that these parents want what's "best" for their son just like I do. I also think that we, as parents, want our child to have every experience in life that we enjoyed and we also want them to have the experiences that we wish we had taken. In reality, that is a whole lot of living and a whole lot of experiences. Then you multiply it by two if your spouse feels the same way and your poor child ends up with a ton of expectations and a lot of "experiencing" time.
I had two highlights of summer when I was growing up. The first was going to the beach with my extended family. My cousins would go and that meant that play time lasted all week long. My sisters and I thought it just didn't get any better than spending every waking moment with your cousins. Not to mention that our dad was off from work and he played with us in the pool and tossed us up in the air. The second highlight of summer, when I was a little older, was going to church camp. Not only was the week itself a blast but when you got back the fun went on until school started. So many relationships were formed at camp and everyone made sure to continue them when we got back home. When I had children it was my strongest desire to make sure they had both of these "experiences" that had been so special to me. Thankfully, that has happened. The other side of that coin is that I had unbelievable experiences singing and performing at many events all during my elementary, secondary, and college years. I absolutely loved being on stage. While it was awesome, it wasn't up there with family vacations and summer camp, but it was very very special because it formed who I was and what I was accomplished at. Those who know me know that not a one of my sons has a desire to perform. Thankfully, they all love and appreciate music but there is no desire to perform. I am OK with that.......it was my experience and it wasn't meant to be their's.
There are many things that I wish I had done, but never did. I love to travel and didn't have the opportunity to travel much in college. Therefore, I would really love for one of my kids to study abroad and experience another country and culture. I want them to do mission trips because that was something that I did not take advantage of. I want them to work as many different summer jobs as possible and meet as many different people as they can. I want them to get out of their "Southern Comfort Zone" and simply experience life. Now we come to a big big problem. Sometimes the experiences that they want are not the experiences that I, nor their dad, had in mind. There doesn't seem to be enough time to cram in all the experiences that we want them to have. Not to speak of the money that it costs. But we all try......Just look around at all of the opportunities........Athletics, dance camps, science camps, mission trips, leadership camps, church camps, on and on and on.......It can be overwhelming and downright frustrating because we simply can't fit everything in.
There are experiences that I wouldn't give anything for. To see your son "walk the Vol Walk" or "run through the T" at the University of Tennessee is awesome. To watch them talk about a "mountaintop" experience at a church retreat or recap a life changing mission trip is absolutely priceless. Even when they are little bitty, to see them sink the winning shot in basketball or score the winning run in baseball, you think "man it doesn't get any better than this." And then one day you go to a restaurant and they are your server and you see them working hard to make summer money. Their "first crop" of veggies comes in in their garden and you watch their pride in all of the hard work they have put in. And again, you are thankful for the opportunities that have come their way and you think "wow, it can't get any better than this."
I certainly don't have all of the answers to make life all it can be. I'm just like all of the other parents who are trying to create opportunities for their children. And so I come full circle with the experiences that I had that I wish for my children to have and the ones that I never took that I hope they will take. There is one experience where I can say that it truly "doesn't get any better." Over the past few years I have experienced something that I can not replicate for them. No amount of money will buy it for them and it will have to be their choice of whether they will pursue this opportunity one day. But I will be bold to tell my children and anyone that will listen that no other experience in your life will compare to it........Get ready because it has nothing to do with music, money, performing, travel or athletics. It is moment you discover the depth of the love that God has always had for you. I'm not going to preach a sermon because this is a moment that is personal and initimate and far surpasses any other event that will ever happen in your life. I could go on and on about my personal "experience" but words simply can't describe it. My moment did not come until I was in my thirties even though I was brought up with the "head knowledge" of God's love, my "heart knowledge" didn't come until I was much older. Next question....."Where can I register for this experience and how much does it cost?" Answer: Join a good, in-depth Bible Study. Pray for God to freely give you this experience. Get out your Bible and read it. Then, sit quietly and wait expectantly for the greatest experience of life. I can promise you that there will never be another like it and the best news of all......it's the experience that never ends.
That's my story and I'm stickin to it.
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