If you live anywhere around our home state of Texas then you have noticed the hints of weather change. We have suffered through another summer and the joys of breaking a sweat during the walk from your front door to your car. We can only let our kids go outside for short little bursts and they still come in smelling like a wet dog while being completely exhausted.
Things are changing right now and my family LOVES it. Some of our greatest time as a family is spent playing baseball, volleyball, or football (with full dog participation) in our yard. It is a great time of laughter and fun which usually does not include any need for disciplinary action. It is a miraculous time, for sure.
Even more amazing is the fact that it is the least expensive thing we can do as a family. It does not require gas money. There are no tickets to purchase. Whether or not kids eat free is of no concern to us. The best part is that no one else is around… it is just our family creating our own memories.
Parents put such pressure on themselves to do ‘special’ things. We so quickly buy the lie that making memories costs money. Honestly, many of those ‘special’ things we plan for and spend on create stress and a little someone involved (possibly Mom and Dad). I am not against those, by any means, but do not believe that it requires a vacation and five thousand dollars to invest in lifelong memories with your family.
Go outside! Grab a ball, bicycle, scooter, or whatever else your children love to play with (including the dog) and just enjoy being together outside. It requires no planning and zero dollars and makes priceless investments that last a lifetime.
Go outside!
Matt Powell serves as teaching pastor at Crossings Community Church, a body of believers whose mission is to engage, equip, and empower homes for gospel transformation in Katy, TX.