One thing that has often resonated with me is that the conversations I have with my kids are harder than I ever imagined.  They’re also deeper, and more exciting, and funnier, and braver, and more honest, than I knew was possible.

 

When I share them with friends, they often seem as amazed as I am, so I know they must be somewhat rare, and I am quite sure they are precious.

 

Recently, we had a conversation with our younger kids about a special friend coming to visit.  The friend is a girl, and she’s very special to one of our sons.  I’ll leave it at that for now.  😉  But I was struck as we were talking that our kids assumed they’d be investing in relationship with this young woman, because she is valuable to one of their siblings.  Even Blue looks forward to talking with her, because that’s how he will get to know her.

 

 

As we prepare for the visit, we’re all talking about what it will look like, what we will eat and do, where we will go together… but more than anything, we are looking forward to the conversations.  And I know they will be meaningful, because we’ve built a history of living with good conversation.

 

I’m going to share more of those conversations going forward (with the blessing of my kids), because I want to dare you, I think, to be brave, too.  As life gets harder, I’m convinced that conversation with our kids is foundational.  We have to say, and be willing to hear, hard things.  Because it’s in those conversations that the gospel becomes real, that life takes on meaning, and that we develop who we are, as individuals, and as a family.