Proximity




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Like a court jester, my wife juggles conversations and tasks better than anyone I've ever met. Many moms by necessity are forced into this unique skillset. To say my three kids enjoy a close proximity to Amber is the understatement of the year. It's as if they are tethered to her with some strange invisible rope, causing them to mirror her hurried steps all around the house, while taking turns saying, "mommy!" "mom!" "hey, mommy!" "mom!" At least I have the benefit of escaping to the office Monday through Friday, but for Amber I'm sure some days feel like a weird blend of house arrest and Uber driver.
After a particularly trying day, Amber would no doubt say too much close proximity can be quite frustrating.
However, the proximity and closeness of my kids to my wife, is really the tangible expression of their love and affection. It may not feel like that as she wears what they ate for lunch, but it is. Isn't that true of any relationship? If you really like someone and care about someone you want to be around them. Makes sense right?
If it's not bad enough that Amber is grabbed and pulled on all day, while being talked at, enter her largest child...me, who shares the kids infatuation with Amber, along with a keen ability to talk too much, thereby demanding my own time and closeness with her too. Like any marriage, our relationship isn't rainbows and lollipops every day, but man...most days it's pretty darn good. The stress, frustration, and disappointment of any day can easily be cured with some time on the couch or the back porch with Amber.
Proximity is healthy. I'll take it one step further, proximity is necessary. We were created and uniquely designed to be in proximity and fellowship with others. When I look back on trying times in our marriage or trying times in my life in general, I didn't seek proximity or closeness. I didn't want it. If I was hurting or mad, my punishment, my default, was solitary retreat. A wall of invisible silence and distance was my weapon. A unique weapon that has the effect of harming both the one armed and the one in the crosshairs.
In a small group recently we learned about the proximity and closeness of Jesus and His disciples. Jesus wanted to be near them. Look at the New Testament and how much they did together. I've heard road trips with another person referred to as "good windshield time." No doubt Jesus had some good sandal time with His followers.
Proximity is healthy. Proximity is necessary. Jesus knew the key to a solid relationship was proximity. It works for relationships with our family and with our friends, and it works for the relationship with our Heavenly Father as well. We show Him our love when we have quiet time with Him, when we pray, when we intentionally go to Him, and go to Him often. "Father!" "Hey, Father!" "Father!" is our tangible expression of our love and affection. In Matthew 11:28 we are told, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." So let's go to Him, and go to Him often. After all, it's all about proximity.
Much Love, Adam


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