Soak It Up

As I reflect back, I wish we had taken more pics (if that’s even possible). You know, just to try and capture more of the experience. Yet, I think there were times we probably should have put the cameras and iPhones away earlier and just absorbed the fullness of the moment. What a gift it was to be able to deeply breathe in some crisp, mountain air together, gaze at a star-filled sky, and watch the kids play in an alpine creek until their lips turned blue. Gosh, we really made some awesome memories this past month! Our time was so rich it will probably take the better part of the next calendar year for me to process it all.

And while I’m beyond grateful for the sweet time our family shared on our summer vacation, there is however, some regret. And it’s not because I was grumpy on the road (although I was occasionally that), but for some precious time I took for granted prior to our departure. In all the excitement of the upcoming trips, I unfortunately neglected some great opportunities. There were days scattered throughout June and July that I was far less than engaged because I was planning ahead or daydreaming about a future get-away. I assumed tomorrow would come and forfeited some of the blessing of that day.

I’m sure we are all guilty of doing this from time to time. We get caught up thinking about stuff that is to come and miss the right now. Middle school kids can’t wait to be in high school and one day get their driver’s license. 16 year-olds can’t wait to turn 18 so they can vote (just kidding)…Then there is college, then marriage, then children and career decisions, and retirement, and on and on and on… The lists change as we get older but they always exist. There are always “better” things or life stages we look forward to with countless other mini-goals and wants we pursue in the interim. It has been my experience that this kind of “always gazing ahead” often comes with loss.

As our kiddos head back to school next week, I’d love to regain some of those “boring”, uneventful times of “just” sitting around the house with them. I wish I could add some days to the summer and throw in a mulligan or two. I’d love to go back and intentionally pour life and time into them on those days, engage them in conversations, or just simply hold them and remind them of the thousands of reasons my wife and I are blessed to be their parents.

My encouragement is to not miss opportunities over the next couple of months, as we’re tempted to fix our eyes on fall break. May we not just expect that our health and safety be guaranteed through another Christmas. May we see each day as the gift that it is and embrace the moments we are given. “Hey man, we are already bummed that our kids are getting older and moving up a grade! Why do you have to start talking like they may not see graduation?” Well, because they may not. Hopefully they will, but then again, there is no promise that you’ll get to see it either. I’m not trying to play on your emotions or be some kind of Debbie Downer. That’s not my intent at all. In fact, I believe it is God’s favor for us to be allowed to see our life in such a way.

The following lyrics encapsulate the message I’m trying to convey. I know it’s an oldie but here are a few lines from Warren Barfield’s song, Soak It Up…

Oh, and the days go by so fast. And the memories, they never seem to last.

And I’m quick to see all I don’t have. I need to change the way I look at, all I look at…

And soak it up, every little bit I can. Enjoy all my day, before all my days end.


And whatever I get, always let that be enough
. And never forget to soak it up…

Friend, don’t disregard the beauty of right now, looking ahead to what may never be. While we often (& rightfully so) long for vacations and a break from the hustle and bustle of life, we must remember they are given in due season and for a specific purpose. God commands such rest and has proven these things to be good. Remember though, timeouts are designed to get us back into action, positioned to thrive and succeed, not merely endure. Our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and most importantly, our homes, need us to be present. Might our focus be on the day at hand and our hope be found in Christ. May we see the blessing of life right now and truly, soak it up.