Love Through Dragging

It came from the backseat, directly from the mouth of a teenager who had been storing this thought for most likely days, years perhaps.  But it made me chuckle because I know he would have no problem pulling it off as I have given him plenty of content.

“Dad, I think we should start a YouTube series called “Things that my Dad dragged me along to do”, I think we would have a lot of interesting stories! 

The moment this idea was verbalized was also the moment we were in our family truck, literally driving up a ski slope in Colorado.  We were getting bounced around and had spent the last 15 minutes taking up every inch of the high-mountain shelf roads.  He was right; what I deemed as high-altitude and highly-entertaining was also something they had to just go along with and hope for the best.  They were passengers on this family fun train and their Dad was the conductor!

The trip to over 13,000 feet was fun and it did entertain my two boys.  It also took their breathe away as Jan and I made them get out to provide guidance and take photos! 

Someday they will look back on these days and most likely laugh and shake their heads at what their Mom and Dad did, all in the name of making memories and raising boys.  They have lived and experienced a lot in their short lives, and while some of it might seem like it’s not even a choice they usually agree that in the end it was all worth it and they can trust their parents.  You can tell the investment of time and experiences makes a difference.

I can understand the feeling of getting dragged along with my Dad; following His lead in things I don’t understand or don’t want to do.  Not from my earthly Dad, although apples don’t fall far from trees I hear, but following God and His work through me.  Are you feeling that too? 

We’ve made a commitment and we sense a call to live out our faith.  We believe that there is important work and impact to be made on earth but we also have our sights set on heaven.  We know Jesus.  We have experienced the Holy Spirit doing things that cement our faith and direct our steps.  And yet, we know we are passengers on God’s big idea train and sometimes that feels like we are getting dragged along in things that we don’t want to do or going places that really aren’t interesting…at the moment.  We sometimes get caught wanting to see a return in our own ideals.  Following Jesus means accepting that our own concept of time, importance, and needs could look very different than His!  But getting dragged along builds that relationship.

When I “drag” my boys along with some big plan I have to make a few key communication points.  I try to say where we are going, even if it’s generalized.  I have to make sure we have the right things to pull off our trip.  I try to point out the areas or things that might be of special interest to them; make it personal so that my trip is their trip as well.   And then we talk and make the most of the journey; together.   

You and I may be experienced a time where we feel like we are on an adventure against our own wills.  But it’s important to stay with our Father and roll with it…He can be trusted even without knowing the timing or exactly how we are going to get to new place or new season.    Our lives could be a series of stories where we are getting pulled, pushed, and dragged along with our Father.  But the season-finale will piece together all the trips, the trials, and place you (and me) into place where God’s work is our life.   Don’t look at God’s placements and works as boring, a waste of time, or something that has no value for you.  When we are with Him, even in those times of getting dragged along, is a chance to know Him. 

I don’t always understand the circumstances and happenings in my own life, but I do know as a Dad that I love, love, love working out an adventure and creating a story my boys will always remember and be glad they participated in with me.  They are with me and I am with them.  It might seem like there is some dragging going on but eventually they become active participants in the journey.  They now trust because history shows that despite the dragging along there is something special ahead and our relationship deepens.

 It’s time to see beyond the dragging and roll with it.  Trust.  Rely.  Keep communicating with Jesus.  I know He wants to bring you along, not for making your life miserable, but to foster growth and dependence on Him.  He has a plan and place for you and is excited you are along for the ride.  A Father’s love sometimes involves dragging us along!