A Birthday to Remember

I take pleasure in a lot of things.

• A steaming plate of Dale's shrimp creole.
• Late Thursday and the sermon is finished.
• Leaving for a week of vacation with JUST my wife.
• Watching someone in the congregation who is really getting their life together and growing closer to God.
• A sweater that fits.
• Changing the oil in my car.

But this weekend was memorable. It was my birthday! (double nickles, my kids like to say). Of course they treat me like I'm the King of the World (or at least the Western Hemisphere)--but you don't want to hear about that! My son and his wife Cristina and my daughter and her fiance Josh came to church with us Sunday, then came home with us for dinner.

They all got home from church before I did. As I went up the stairs from the garage I paused before opening the door. They were all in the kitchen, just down the hall. And they were really yucking it up--laughing and cutting up--it seemed like they were all talking at the same time. And I just stood there and listened. And I thought, "The things I spend my time worrying about are just not very important. This--this is important. This is really sweet. Today is a good day. Today is one to remember. Today is one of those days I'll want to come back for someday."

Of course, I still have to be 55 all year, but it sure got off to a great start.

The Bible says, "Parents rejoice when their children turn out well" (Pr. 23:24, The Message).

I'm finding this to be so very true.