Embracing the moments and finding God in them

I had a revelation of sorts with my kids today. What I mean to say is that I am learning some important lessons form the wisdom gleaned from friends and wise sages about life with my kids. These are lessons about life, about God, and about me and the ones entrusted to my care. Transparently speaking, I sometimes suck at being a dad. That is because I get in the way of being selfless (another way of saying I'm selfish). I try to cling to me-time my-time, and things that interfere from giving myself fully to the task of unhindered presence with my children. Perhaps I am modeling what was taught to me about kids being seen but not heard? I dunno.

Today I gave myself over. I played and played and wrestled and joked and did crafts with the lil ones. We lit candles when the power went out. I gave them time, didn't expect too much from them, respected them, treated them as equals, and saw a side to them I didn't realize was right under my nose all this time. It was a side that made me feel young and I liked it. A side that taught me a little more about what it means to be human.

It's kind of like the Kingdom, you know. It is there, if we just look closely enough; breaking into the most darndest of places; like in the conversation with my kids, the panhandler we don't want to see, and the snow waiting to be shoveled in your neighbours driveway. It is there, available for the making and taking; if we are to give ourselves to it. Like I gave myself to my kids today; in a way.

I am convinced as I open myself up to learning, that I will be surprised a lot more. There is a gift to each day, in that, it should be embraced like a child does; with a relentless preoccupation for the moment that isn't disturbed by thinking about tomorrow or whatever else adults do. I think this is the language of eternity and the lenses that can open our eyes to God in our midst. I saw him today. Did you?

I'd like to hear...

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