Last night Natalia and I had the fun of going to the Brooklyn Nets vs. Golden State Warriors game on a Daddy-Daughter Date. We were excited to see “the Splash Brothers” Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, arguably the best offensive back court in the NBA today. Unfortunately Thompson had an off night and only scored 7, and Steph only had 8 points going into the 4th quarter due to foul trouble. But, they did make it exciting as Curry scored 18 in the 4th and the game came down to the wire. Tied at 108 Jarrett Jack hit a tough contested jumper with 1.1 seconds on the clock to go ahead. Curry got the ball with a chance, but Brooklyn defended well and he couldn’t get the shot off on time, and Brooklyn won. It was a great game, and more importantly a really great shared experience with my girl!
On Monday night, thanks to some very kind friends, our family had the fun of going to the Jets vs. Dolphins game at Metlife Stadium. It was the first NFL game for all of us. (Ady and I went to a pre-season game a few years ago, but that was like a scrimmage.) It’s a partial bucket-list check-off item. For the full check-off, we need to go to a Cowboys game! (I hear next year they’re playing, I mean beating, the Jets.)
Yesterday I went to my first ever cross country race in support of four of our Shelter Rock Church students. They all did really great. I was cheering for them near the finish line, and gave each of them a Gatorade on which I had written a note to them with a Sharpie. It was awesome talking with them and meeting their teammates/school friends. One mom wrote me and said, “[My son’s] friends thought you were a very cool youth pastor.” I was relieved to know that I didn’t embarrass them. Really great time and so proud of our students.
On Monday Natalia had her first-ever school softball game. She looks really solid as a catcher, and the team played great, winning 17-0. Proud of our little ball player!
I am not a New York Mets fan, but I am now a Daniel Murphy fan. Daniel Murphy is the Mets’ second baseman. Watch this video, then read my response:
I want to say this to Mr. Murphy:
Thank you for putting family first. Thank you for choosing your family over your job. You are the kind of hero our warped culture needs!
You will have hundreds, if not thousands, of more baseball games to play, but you will never again have the chance to experience the birth of your first child and be with your wife for the first few days to share the joy of your new life as a family of three.
Your child will never remember what you did, but I am sure one day he will hear about it. The message you have communicated to him is that he is more important than anything in the world to you. Well done, sir!
Thank you for taking the high road when you were criticized. You showed your values, and so did your critics. What a shame that they have bought into the lies of our modern culture. How many kids go to bed every night in their big homes, in their nice beds, feeling like they don’t really matter to their parents; that only money and success does? Yes, it is wonderful and honorable that these parents work hard to provide for their children, do not get me wrong. But I know of way too many parents in our culture who bring home paychecks that enable to their families to live comfortable lives, but their children are starved for the one thing money can’t buy: a relationship with their parents, because they are always out chasing the next dollar.
Today I honor you as a man, as a husband, as a father, and as a much-needed role model! I don’t know if you are a Christian, but I would not be surprised to hear that you are. Thank you for representing the heart of God the Father as well. I’m so glad He didn’t just create us and “get back to work.” Rather, He created us and loves us and deeply wants to be with us as His children.
Natalia and I had a really great time on a Daddy Daughter Date Night tonight at the NY Islanders game. Thanks to some friends we were able to enjoy the game from an executive suite. Such a fun night with my baby girl!
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