“What is it?” 3 simple words that have now changed my life in ways many will never understand. You see I just spent the last 3 days at Snowshoe Mountain in West Virgina with my buddy, my 9 year old Eli. He was invited to take part in a CrossTrailOutfitters (CTO) Snowboard camp. Going into the time I wasn’t really sure what to expect, I just knew I was looking forward to some one on one time with my lil man. (In a home with 4 kids, the one on one moments are rare, but so valuable for all of them.) He was the youngest kid there, but he took it like a champ getting to play the role of the younger brother for once.
With CTO they keep their retreats to 4-5 kids at a clip so that the deeper personal relationships can be built. Honestly going into it from an American Church mindset I kept thinking why not the more the merrier, why aren’t we opening it up to large groups. After being there I totally understand why as Eli now has made friends for life. The really impactful time with all these kids happens in what is known as the fireside chats. A question for the day to ponder throughout and come back to discuss at night. The question for the camp was simply 3 words, “What is it?’ I was kinda dumbfounded by how simple it was, but as the time went on, the question kept getting deeper and deeper in my mind. “What is it that brings me joy? Peace? Hope? Life? Fulfillment? What is it that get me up in the morning? Gets me agitated? What is it?”
So as we would sit around and discuss this question the answers would be all over the place with kids ranging from 16 to 9 years old. The final morning though as we were having our final chat they got to Eli and said, “Hey man, what is it?” Very boldy and proud he sad, “Time with Daddy.” I think the dust kicked up quite a bit in that moment, but at the same time and scream and shout, “Buddy that’s how I feel to.” Above the snowboarding, the mountains, the time with others, it was about our time together.
Now driving home that day I had 4 hours to think more upon this simple answer. I started wondering if God were to ask us the same question, would we have that answer. “Time with you Lord, time with Daddy.” You see I believe God is saying the same thing to us, just desiring our time. In a culture where we have made it about events, big services and let’s be blunt, busyness, how much is God craving our time? I know in life it happens and we take time together with others for granted, but I hope and pray my lil man will always have that memory of our time together and those 3 simple words.
Kinda makes you think of Mary and Martha right, Mary just sitting at Jesus feet, desiring His time. Is that us or are we so consumed with other things.
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”