One of the things I enjoy doing when I get back from my missions trips or conferences is to reunite with my family over dinner. I guess it has been an unspoken tradition over the years. Today, I allowed the kids to choose where they wanted to go and eat with dad.
I try to use this time to share with them all that happened while I was away from home – I share about the various people that I have met, funny stories that happened on the trip or even various needs around the world that God allowed me to see. Then, I drill them with questions about things that happened here in AA while I was gone – school, activities, etc.
These are some of my favorite times. Since, we have not seen each other for some days, it allows us to appreciate one another and give each other our full attention. After putting the kids to sleep, I was just thinking that sometimes the familiarity and the routine of things can undermine things in a relationship. I realized that balancing life with work, family, relationships, and etc. is not an easy thing, but I am thankful that God has always allowed me to do what I love most – spend time family, go on missions, meet Kingdom-minded Christians all over the world who are laboring for the Lord, read books (on the long plane rides) and the list goes on and on.
Even though it is hard juggling and balancing everything in life at times, I am thankful that God is always providing a way for me. Now it is just my responsibility to take advantage of it and make the most of it.