Big Daddy's thoughts hopes and dreams: Chalk on the portch

Chalk art by: Adrienne and my girls

Chalk on the Portch

One day I came home for a quick stop in what would turn into another long (very long) day added to the stretch of long days, during a full time Youth Pastorate. When I walked up the first flight of stairs and turned to the main portch before heading up the second flight, something caught my eye. Chalk art!

I was covered in sweat from mowing and weadeating the cemetary on our church property, and just wanted to shower before doing visits and working in the Youth Center. I was tired, overworked, and very much overwhelmed with life. Trying to make ends meet while dealing with people in leadership who were always at my throat was almost to much to bare. But when i saw this wonderful chalk art it made me stop and smile. I could see that my wife and girls were outside playing and having a good time while Daddy was away. Their footprints and the art that was around their names made me realize that they were growing so fast.

I stood there for more than a moment and just looked at their tiny feet. I took in all the detail that was etched into the wood on the portch. I immagined their laughter as momy drew around the outline of their feet to fill in the middle, or rubbing the bottom of their feet with the chalk to make the initial impression of the bottom of their feet, and tickle making them giggle. With sweat pooring down my face and dripping around the drawing I was in a trance. I am sure to anyone that could have been around I would have looked crazy standing there with my head down like a statue, smiling from ear to ear.

Sometimes we need to take more than a moment to tickle the feet and draw with chalk. Time to laugh, and sing. So I went up the second flight of stairs with the humidity draining my energy. I walked in the door to a gust of cool air took off my shoes covered with strands of grass and then my socks so I wouldn't spread the mess knowing my wife had been cleaning. I opened the second door to find my youngest daughter sitting in her diaper and a tank top on the counter smiling and yelling "Da..." I walked over and kissed her, careful not to get grass on her. I looked over and mommy's back was to me making lunch for the girls. Gabby was on the floor in the living room watching a show on the TV and didn't hear or see me. I walked up to mommy as she turned around and smiled at me. I grabbed her and pressed my sweat covered shirt and the smell of fresh cut grass against her. Her efforts to push me away was in vain as she laughed and told me to go and shower.

I cherrish those memories. Even during a hard time in our life and stress filled work, there were a few things that stood out as blessings. My family is a total blessing. Now my girls are a year older than they were then and both their birthdays are coming quickly. They are growing up so fast...

I want every moment to count.

Soo, this is Big Dady saying: Take time to draw on the portch with Chalk!

Blessings,

Mike III, AKA Big Daddy