Boys & Toys...

This is one of the many backup toys I now keep in my office just in case Hayden comes in and doesn't have a toy to play with. I think we won't ever really grow up. It's part of us, this desire to be a kid... this idea that we are the action figures we watched as a kid/teen, that we are able to go and do whatever whenever for forever. When we grow up, we just get ourselves into more trouble... more expensive trouble. We are then big boys with big toys. Do I speak from experience? Of course! Am I going to share my experiences? NO! Today I'm mindful of us men. I think it's simply because it's one of the men in my life's birthday, my father. Today, my dad turned 52. But he's really got all the toys he needs/wants. If not, he buys it for himself before we ever have the chance. I've come to realize that I'm much like my father. He's got the new Corvette parked in the garage next to his shiny motorcycle, and an entire garage full of collector's items. I can't excuse myself from this club of guys either. I've got my share of guns, knives, toys, etc. And as crazy as it is, my son Hayden, I've realized, is right there in the midst of it all. The other day he told Susanna he wanted to take Papa's Corvette to church. He knows the names of his toy cars, and he even knows what model they are... i.e. Chevy Camaro, Jeep Wrangler, etc.

I'm a very proud father, but I'm also a little concerned at times. Toys & trinkets can so easily entangle us if we aren't careful. (Hebrews 12:1) It's such a reality check, is it not? Here recently, I've been burdened to begin just simply getting rid of stuff. Stuff that I haven't used/warn/needed. I've been slowly either giving it away or simply trashing it. I can't begin to describe how good it feels to be free of the clutter. Spring cleaning of the soul, if you will. It's been good, refreshing, and a great reminder that our minds are to be set on things above, not on things of this earth. (Colossians 3:2)

I guess I rant about this today because what's more important to me than these possessions is the fact that I have a dad who I get to celebrate another year with today. I have a son that I get to lead and influence. I'm so blessed. My prayer for you today is that you take time today to spend with the people in your life, not the stuff you've acquired.

Blessings,
Frankie