Gavin was home from college last weekend and I had been out. I came home to the yard filled with wiffle balls and it made my heart smile to see that the boys had been playing ball together.

I remember years ago when the boys put the bases down around the yard. Now the bases are permanent fixtures in the dirt, we literally mow over them. Also, we have patches of dirt around the pitching mound and our home plate.

The boys used to play wiffle ball for hours together and with friends.

The time in the yard together is naturally fading.

And I know that in time, the grass will grow back, and I’ll eventually pick up the bases.

Yet the memories made in this imperfect, worn yard will last a lifetime.

I share this today for all the parents whose grass is growing back too and for all the young parents whose yards are filled with dirt patches. I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

May what things look like on the outside, like our yards, come second to the joy and memories made within our hearts.

May the worn space in our yards and around our houses be the memory marks left from the blessing of time with one another.

For the grass will grow back, and our kids will grow up and one day move out.

May this give us wisdom on how to spend our time with those we love, and gratitude for the worn spaces made together.

With love and hope,
Shawn

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
- Psalm 90:12