| Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.” |
Yesterday, the day after Christmas, I was feeling this need to get out in the yard and uncover us from the leaves that dropped so suddenly. It was as if Fall came in one day. Our pecan tree buried our backyard in leaves. And it was promptly followed by rain.
After a day of dryer humidity and stronger winds during the night, it was the right time to mulch it all up in the mower. Our granddaughter was asleep in the front bedroom, so I checked with the powers that be and was given the thumbs up to mow in the backyard. I got out a rake and broom.
Very soon, our grandson Milo came out to help. He is 3 and a half years old now, and loves to help with whatever we are doing. He is like a miniature grownup sometimes. “Papa, I can help you.” So, I handed him the broom I was using. I thought for a moment about getting another one for him, but thought again and gave him mine. I got the blower started and blew off the deck as he was raking it. He directed me to spots I had missed. He wasn’t bothered by the noise of it.
I got the mower going and he walked over to me saying something. I shut the mower down so I could hear. “Papa, I know how to mow.” Me: You want to help me?” 25 years ago, I was a father, and would have needed to get the job done. I am not sure what I would have done then, but this day, I let him walk the mower around the yard with me. I didn’t worry so much about straight lines. I made turns he could handle. We walked together. After about 10 loops, he went inside.
I thought quite a bit about our time together. I have a different perspective now at 68 than I did when Milo’s father was that age. I would have been 42. As Paul Davis wrote in his song Sweet Life, “this old world seems to be in a hurry, but darlin’ we just keep on takin’ our time.” As a dad, I tried to get the work done, but also have fun doing it. Letting them join in makes the memories that we cherish.
I distinctly remember sitting at my roll top desk reconciling our bank statement as three boys raced through the house chasing each other. I thought “I am missing out on this fun just to make sure we have our ducks in a row with the bank.” I stopped what I was doing to join in the chase. I did not get back to my bank reconciliation for another 10 years. We survived. But I got to play with them. Now they are 31, 28, and 25. The oldest has a wife and two of his own, our middle son is in a relationship, and life is whizzing by us. I have never regretted taking time to play at the expense of getting the work done. It was always there waiting for me.
A nameless stranger helped me out so much one day. Maybe he was an angel sent from heaven to give me his message. I was going into K-Mart (which is no longer there). He was on his way out as I was going in. I had our oldest son in my arms. “I remember that like it was yesterday. And my son is graduating today. It will fly by in a flash!” And he was off into the parking lot. Let me tell you young dads, he was right. I am now playing with my grandson. Those years evaporated. Take time to do the important things. The work and chores will still be there. Father in heaven, thank you for that stranger’s warning, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
-Jeff Beall
