Ecclesiastes 8:15

“So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.”

Note: *For this new year of 2021, the combination of my age (understanding my own fragile mortality), this current and ongoing global pandemic, and most recently the personal loss I’ve experienced of one of my former students, has amplified the need to land on one word... #Prepare.

In this "pursuit to prepare" I am determined to dedicate the 52 weeks of 2021 blogging every Week about one aspect of preparation God lays on my heart. This week 5 “we prepare” for “play.”

As mentioned in week 1, the word “prepare” means “to establish, fix, prepare, or apply.” It conveys the idea of deliberate effort over a prolonged period of time.

I just returned from my daughter’s home in Arkansas. For almost two weeks with my granddaughters I attended more tea parties, built more castles, rode more slides, and watched almost every Disney movie ever released.

Playing nearly 24/7 for almost 2 weeks with “the girls” although exhausting, is a powerful gift giving and quite frankly, a precious life changing addiction I never plan to give up.

And then it’s time to come home. Time to recoup and “prepare" for the next opportunity on the calendar to play!

Men, there are a few questions you never want to stop hearing again like “daddy will you come jump on the trampoline with me?” or “Grandpa do you want to go play tea party? I know. I know. I get it. You are tired. But believe me my brothers they will stop asking soon enough, and you will one day yearn, yes I said yearn, for those sweet, precious, and innocent requests once more!

So what are the areas in your life calling you to “establish” and “apply” to “prepare you for play? Not tomorrow. But Today?

DADs, do not be like the man spending a lifetime building his house, only to die before he can actually live in it.
When was the last time you paused to play?
Zechariah the prophet shared in Zechariah 8:5 "And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.” I believe he was casting a picture, where our homes and neighborhoods are full of healthy people, yes even adults, rich with joy and hope for all present. A place held with peace, and plenty are within reach. Where play is not just evident in the children, but in those raising them as well.

DADs, what is evident in your lives, because of your intentional "preparation for play” in your homes, and literally the streets around your house, becomes a sage sanctuary for you, your family, and others?
Play is essential in your work, in your rest, and in the spontaneous moments unexpected. Play can be found in your creating, innovating, wonderment, and celebrations. Beyond food and shelter, play is the third most important biological need we as God’s children have, and yet often the most neglected.

DADs, when was the last time you truly played? For yourself, for your spouse, others? It’s time, my brothers, to “prepare to play!”
It’s time to pause, and sit down, again, either figuratively or in reality around the tiny tea party table.
Let’s begin to build those castles and prepare to play today!

To God be the glory!