It All Goes Back In The Box

Tuesday was Election Day. My wife and I have been working at the polling place for over a year. It is a great way to serve the community and meet some really neat people. This past Tuesday the turnout was not very large, so I had the opportunity to get into a paper book. I say paper book because like many of you, I read electronic books. That was more information than you needed. The book is by John Ortberg and the Title is, When The Game Is Over It All Goes Back In The Box.

At this point I am half way through the book, but have been reminded about a very important need in many of our lives, especially if you have children still in the house. We are a culture of stuff, work, and business. Many of us thrive on these things at the expense of our families. But here is the thing, we can be busy, climb the financial and social ladder, and be a success in the eyes of the culture, but one day it will all end. One day it will all go back in the box. All the missed time with family will not mean much when someone else has your job, your wealth, your positions.

I experienced this in my life from two points of view. If I was going to spend time with my dad when I was a child, I knew it was going to be on the golf course. Now I love the game, but that is not why I started playing. I started playing to be with my dad. There have been times my family suffered an absent dad as well. I enjoy work. It can be like a hobby to me. I enjoy the people I work with and what I do. But there were times, especially when my children were small, that I put in too many hours at church and not enough time at home. Now, no one would argue that doing things at church, for the church are bad things, but when they came before my family I don't know that God was pleased. I finally corrected this as I had a loving wife who continued to guide me to spend more time with the girls. I am so glad I did. I think we are the friends we are today because God used Debi to help me see what was really important.

Too often in America we live like this life will go on forever. It won't. It is a good reminder to all of us that when it is all said and done, what our children want from us is time, and they want this over stuff, activities, money, and job titles. They want you. What game are you playing? What will go back in the box when your life is over, the stuff of our culture or memories that will never be put away in the minds of your family? "When The Game Is Over It All Goes Back In The Box."