Part of Their Summers

This article was first shared on my free Substack.

When I was a child, I saw summer as a season of growth and opportunity. Summers were also an important part of my spiritual life. I wrote about my memories of Church Camp, Vacation Bible School, and The Summer After Senior Year. Today, I want to write about what this all means for me as a dad.

I was thinking the other day about how different my summers look now compared to when I was a kid. There’s no time off, family life gets busier, and summer can sometimes feel like a lot of work.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the season, especially with my kids. I can make plans. I can make weeknights special. I can create opportunities for memories that will last.

When I look back on my own summers, I realize how much they shaped me. It makes me wonder what my children will remember about theirs. I want them to look back and say that their dad was part of their summers. I’m not talking about living vicariously through my kids. I’m talking about living alongside them.

I’m reminded of our Heavenly Father. He never stops working, he sustains and governs the world, and yet he is always present for his children. This summer, I mean to be there for my kids—sharing life and making memories together.