The "Good 'Ole Days"

     Recently I've had a song stuck in head. This isn't an uncommon occurrence for me, but this song in particular has special meaning to me. The song is called "The Family of God" by Bill and Gloria Gaither. (If you're curious you can hear it here: http://youtu.be/vU-wuB5aK0U) While I'm not really a Gaither fan (although I did go to my fair share of "Gaither Homecomings" as a kid) and I haven't sang the song in years, it's the memories attached to the song that I enjoy. 

My old church from childhood, Morrilton Baptist Temple.

     Every Sunday morning as a kid, after my family had been greeted at the door by Brother Woody with his big smile and Mrs. Rosemary desperately tried to get me and my best friend Kyle to pay attention in Sunday School as we memorized Psalm 119:105, my family and I would finally make our way to our seats in the sanctuary (5 rows back, on the right side). The Pastor would welcome everyone and Mrs. Rachel would begin her beautiful piano-playing as she started the song "Family of God" and everyone was instructed to greet the people around you. As a kid, this meant that old ladies would pinch your cheek, the men would shake your hand firmly and say "My, you're getting big", and me and my friend Kyle would make our way to the back to conspire with each other about who would ask their parents if they could come over after church. These were the Good 'Ole Days for me.

     It doesn't matter if you're 25, 45, or 85 years old, you've probably at one time or another found yourself referring back to the good 'ole days, a time when things we're less busy, simpler, care-free, and just better (and gas prices we're lower). Honestly, though, everyone's "good 'ole days" came with it's own set of problems, mistakes, and issues. I grew up in the 90's when we had the O.J. Simpson murder trial, the Jon-Benet murder, an embarrassing presidential affair, the Gulf War, scrunchies, Crystal Pepsi, and Pauly Shore. But I had no clue. I was oblivious. I was a kid. And they were the good 'ole days.

     Consider this thought: these are the "good 'ole days" for your kids right now.

     It may not seem like it to you, because you're probably busier than ever, you're dealing with stress at work, financial strain, and family crisis', but for them these are the times that your kids or grandkids will look back on as that simpler, better time known as the good 'ole days.

     So, how can you be sure that these times become great times for your kids, even if they're not the best for you? Here's a few tips to help:

     1. Make Time for Family and Make that Time Count. Be sure to intentionally carve out some time in your week and your day to focus completely on your kids. Go outside, leave your phone, iPad, and books inside and just play with your kids. They probably won't remember all your air-tight excuses for the time you can't spend with them, what they'll remember are those afternoons that you set everything down and did something special with them.

Screen shot from a home movie we made.

     2. Make Small Moments Big. My family never had a lot of money to go on extravagant vacations, but we did go on bike rides down dirt roads, have games nights with other families, pull out the video camera and make silly movies (my favorite activity). They didn't cost much to anything to do, but they felt like big moments that I still remember fondly.
     3. Live Like God is in Control and You Trust Him. When the television tells you that the world is a mess and danger is around every corner, live and talk and interact with your kids is such a way that they know there is a God that is bigger than every problem and you can trust Him no matter what.

Your Next Step: Think about what made the good 'ole days for you. What are some ways that you're making right now the good 'ole days for your kids? What are some ways this week that you can create some fond memories with your kids?

In Christ,
Ryan Fillinger
Fusion Church
Fountain, CO