BoyGeeding and I played the new Madden game last night. It’s so much fun bonding with him over video games, especially that one. There are a lot of tributes in the game to honor the late coach.
When I was married, I never thought I’d be able to take the kids to school again. It just made sense for the wife to take the kids to school, since she worked on the same campus. But now, depending on the possession schedule, I have the opportunity to take them to school like I used to do before my then wife went back to work. I loved those moments in the car together in the morning, and grateful I get to do it again on occasion. Sure, big vacation trips are fun and memorable, but it’s those little parts of parenting that’s special and heart fulfilling.
I was really disappointed in one of my closest friends as I went through some major life events. I felt he wasn’t there for me after I lost my father, best friend, and then my mother, despite me being there and supporting him during his major life events. But, he’s been with me every step of the way through this divorce and post divorce period. He’s even taken me to the hospital for surgery, twice, driving all the way from Mineral Wells just to do so. On Sunday, he drove to town just to have dinner with me for my birthday and just to check up on things. I’m grateful for his friendship, one that has lasted about 35 years.
Today is my birthday. Woo wee. I wish I had the type of relationship with my ex in which we could at least exchange birthday texts or send a card. The only thing that’s stopping me is she doesn’t want to do that stuff or have that kind of relationship.
It’s a little sad I’m buying a birthday cake for myself. But hey, it’s my birthday and I want to indulge in a little self-care. So, I’m going to buy me a cake (actually, a Baskin-Robbins ice cream cake) and share it with my kids who will happen to be with me this year.
In case you are wondering, I’m now 47.
Seven years ago I climbed a mountain. Guadalupe Peak, and danced with my then wife on Texas’ highest peak. It meant a lot to me, and I thought it was romantic. No telling what she really thought of the experience, as I learned she suppressed a lot of her feelings to placate me.
On Sunday (August 28), The Village Church (TVC) announced that Matt Chandler would be taking a leave of absence from preaching and teaching following an inappropriate direct messaging relationship with a woman who is not his wife. While not romantic or sexual, Chandler described the messaging relationship as being characterized by “familiarity” and “coarse and foolish joking.” Chandler further described his online behavior as “unguarded and unwise,” and his leave of absence is both “disciplinary and developmental.” He further expressed his agreement with and submission to the elder board’s decision, which came after an independent, third-party investigation.
Most of the time when stuff of this nature happens, we learn it’s just the tip of the iceberg. That may not be the case with Chandler, but just don’t be surprised.
This is one reason why my marriage fell apart. I set up boundaries to protect our marriage, and my ex chose to ignore those boundaries by sending what she considered an innocent message to an ex-boyfriend. In some ways, it was just the tip of the iceberg, and our kids have suffered because of a lapse of judgement. And she wondered why I was concerned about her use of social media. I pray that I can find love again, and that both of us are willing to be transparent and accountable to one another.
The best way to handle this situation is complete transparency. That is, release all the messages and let everyone judge for themselves. Right now, I think it’s a bad look for the church to allow Chandler to control the narrative.
