Best Day of My Life!

Today we took my grandson, Wyatt, to the Big Bear Zoo on his fifth birthday. With his heart-melting smile, he said to me, “Papa, this is the greatest day of my life.” I’m pretty sure that the years to come will bring much “greater” days to his life, but in his little five-year-old brain, this is it.

As he hurried from the bald eagle, to the grizzly bear, to the timber wolf, to the reptile house, back to the grizzly bear, back to the timber wolf, and oh yeah, “don’t forget we gotta go see the bald eagle again, Papa,” I remembered taking his daddy to the Santa Barbara Zoo over thirty years ago.

I couldn’t help comparing the two experiences—actually, comparing the way I viewed each of them.

Another Zoo, Another Day

Thirty years ago I was a young dad with a lot of things on my mind. I had papers to write and tests to study for at the University of California at Santa Barbara. There were my duties in the University ROTC cadet corps and preparations for my upcoming commission in the Army. My days were scheduled, regimented, and pressured.

I remember hurrying Bobby through the exhibits, and saying things like, “No son, we don’t have time to go back to see “Dandy Lion,” at the lion exhibit. Daddy has to be home pretty soon to study.” So we kept on schedule, saw everything. Very efficient.

If I Could Do It Over Again

Today I’m an old guy, but my schedule is more demanding than ever. I just thought I was busy back then! I pastor a busy and effective local church, mentor three different groups of men, write a lot and spend a lot of time talking with people about their walk with Jesus Christ. I always run out of day before I’m done with my responsibilities, and the pressure is extreme.

But this time I find myself saying things like, “Sure, buddy. If you want to see the bald eagle again, we’ll just go!”

Here’s what I’ve learned…, the pressures will never end, and the busyness never lets up. But, a child’s interest in hearing what his grandfather has to say, will end. All little boys (and little girls!) will grow up, and move on to their own busy lives

If I could do it over again, I’d go back to those lions, hang out with my boy and trust God for the rest. Oh, and I’d buy a lot more candy and ice cream, because a memory is far more precious than a deadline.

I missed a lot of deadlines yesterday, but it was worth it. It was one of the greatest days of my life!

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord” –Psalm 127:3