Three ways to love my kids (and others) more.

A few weeks ago I knelt in my laundry room and began to remove the cloth pieces to my son's car seat, as it was way over-due for a much needed cleaning.

 As I removed each layer, I wondered how, (and what), could so many things that I can't even now identify get crushed and crammed into every available open space, and then accumulate on the bottom of a car seat?!

I caught myself being ashamed in thinking "I hope he knows how much I love him because I'm cleaning his car seat!" 

Why was I having this thought?  He's three, I'm his Daddy, I'm supposed to do things like clean his car seat!  But in that moment, all I could think about is, "I don't know what that multi-color sticky blob is, and I really don't want to peel it off of there!" 

But I did it, I only complained a little to my wife Bridget (as she chuckled), and I made up my mind that I was gonna be intentional about showing my kids, and others, the love that they deserve. 

Here are the three different ways I thought I could put this into action.

1.  Love without expectation.  I need to lay aside my own expectations, wants, and needs and love unconditionally. 

2. Laugh more. This is just a win-win situation.

3. Stop taking life so seriously. We can experience and enjoy life to the fullest when we let our guard down. 

I realize this makes me a lot more vulnerable, and I think that's right where I need to be.

Until next time.

-Luke