Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind...I Need A Shower

One of the things I have valued as a husband and father is creating memories.  You know the type I'm talking about.  Think back to your childhood when your family took that special trip or the day you were surprised with the perfect gift.  One of my favorites as a boy was the Christmas I knew I was getting a real train set.  I can still remember it all wrapped in a green foil wrapping paper with a giant red bow.  The train set is long gone but the memory is still very strong.



For my kids, some of our fondest memories are our vacation trips on a cruise ship, or taking my pre-teen son on a weekend hobo trip in the car to our favorite amusement park.  Asking my daughter for a date and we both got dressed up and had a formal night. 

For my wife, finding the perfect resort, or taking those many spontaneous weekend road trips before the kids came in the picture.

These things I've listed may very well sound like many of the experiences you have shared in your life.  But there is another side to making memories.

In the midst of a tense situation, family crisis or clenched teeth, what type of mental imprint am I making as a husband and father.  I don't claim to walk on water and I admit many times I've had to eat humble pie.




One thing my family seems to have a tendency to do is impact an automobile with a garage door.  The first time was with our son and my Jeep.  He was beside himself and I'm sure it was one of the worst days of his life.  Thoughts like 'dad is gonna kill me,' or 'I should just run away and join the foreign legion' were running through his head.  With me not being home at the time of the incident my wife challenged me to consider his feelings and what great remorse he was feeling.  I prayed before I got home and than had to confront my son on this situation.  The look in his eyes said how sorry he was.  After assessing the damage, I looked directly at him as asked him if he was OK?  I hugged him, told him I loved him, and said garage doors and cars can be replaced but he couldn't.  We worked through the repairs and I will cherish that opportunity as a great memory.

Did I mention I have often eaten humble pie?  A few months later I hit the same garage door with the same jeep.  "Wait, I'd like a second slice of pie."  A few years later I hit the garage door on our next home with the same jeep.  My son had such a good time giving me a hard time.

Today, my wife stepped up to the plate and took her turn to hit our garage door with her car.  Honestly I did feel upset inside at the situation but I knew it was an accident.  I told her to head off to work and I started to fix the door.  A couple of hours later it was back to normal.  God reminded me that this was another opportunity to create a memory.  After I was done, I texted my wife and said 'The garage door is fixed.  Love is patient, love is kind....I need a shower!'

As a younger man, in my day, I would loose my cool and create a bad memory for my family.  I'm so thankful that I hugged my son, that I texted my wife, that I have a great family.

 

The First To Apologize Is The Bravest

The First To Forgive Is The Strongest

The First To Forget Is The Happiest

Oh, by-the-way, did I mention that my daughter is our most recent driver in the family and has not hit any garage door yet?  If that day comes, and I suspect it will, I plan to hug her and remind her she is more valuable than the car or garage door; she is loved.