I haven't written a blog post in nearly 5 years. Facebook has been my place of choice to post things about life. But, I think I will resurrect this blog, if only because I need to write more and I want to share something that is longer than a Facebook post.
As a Father, I've been lucky to have many reasons to be very proud of Collin. He has amassed many academic, athletic, and musical accomplishments. Something happened yesterday to add to that list.
Collin's indoor soccer team won their championship game last night. It was a tremendous season watching them grow as players, learn how to play as a team together, and hone their skills to become one cohesive unit on the field. It was a privilege to get to see them transform before our very eyes. And that game was the most fun I've had watching them.
However, as proud as I am of that, it is not what made me the proudest yesterday.
A parent of one of the other kids on the team - one that maybe isn't quite as good as the others - told my wife that she was very thankful for how Collin treated her son; making him feel welcome and displaying Christian character and acceptance toward him. As I laid in bed trying to fall asleep after all the excitement last night, that's what I kept thinking about. Because that's what life is all about - having a love for God which displays itself in how you love and treat other people. And I fell asleep a very proud dad.
Collin is not perfect. He is a teenager. He can cop an attitude with the best of them. He forgets to do his chores. He thinks the world revolves around his social life. But he is also a very kind-hearted, sensitive young man who values other people for who they are. That became more apparent to me yesterday.
Collin has a desk full of awards - first place in the 1600m, soccer tournament champions, cross country team first place, National Honor Society, gold medals for musical accomplishments, and many more. But in the end, those are just things. And the best things in life aren't things. They are people.
In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable about the Kingdom of Heaven. In it he contrasts three servants who use the master's talents. Two of them invest the talents and gain more, but one does not. To the two, he says "Well done, good and faithful servant!" He is not talking about investing in money; he is talking about investing in people.
I don't know if Collin will even read this. But if you do, Collin, I want to say to you "Well done!" I am so very very proud to call you my son!
