The Akins family is another family that has invested heavily in my life. Amy Jo and Glen are always both super encouraging whether I’ve been able to make time for them or if we’re just passing in church. They always just want a hug and want to know if everything is on track and going well. I also know that Amy Jo is reading every blog I write and she lets me know her thoughts on most of them. That is one of the most encouraging things I can receive during this blog. Whether she means to or not, she reminds me it’s not just my parents that read this thing.
My trip home for the holidays was really the first time I was able to carve out some time just for the Akins. They were on my short list of people to make time for and I was blessed to get the opportunity. One thing I have loved about getting to know some of the families in my home church is watching them with their kids. These families aren’t just telling their kids important values, they’re showing them what these words mean. Amy Jo and Glen’s oldest is Addie Grace and they wanted to take her out for their small group service project. The two younger ones, Sam and Sawyer, were going to stay home this time around.
When Amy Jo asked if I would babysit so she and Addie Grace could go pass out meals, there wasn’t even a second thought for me. I haven’t spent much time with Sam and Sawyer, but the second I showed up, I became a friend. Sawyer started filling my arms up with stick on tattoos and I sat down with Sam to try and unlock the secret levels of Mario Kart. One time when I was in the other room with Sawyer, Sam ran in and begged me to just come and watch him beat the next level. I felt important to these boys, but more importantly, I felt like a friend.
Amy Jo and Addie Grace were only gone a couple of hours, but I hung around for a little bit after to hear about the service project. When I told Amy Jo about my next few steps, I could tell she wanted in. The Akins are blessed to also have a very eager and encouraging small group to be a part of, and those families are ready to start making an impact. I was excited to hear about what they were doing as a group, as well as what they were planning to do. These families are all pretty well off with young kids. They have every excuse to just focus on their homes. But they want to show their kids the world and true generosity.
The thing that struck me about this family, is that is wasn’t just about writing a check. It’s about investment. They have invested so much into my life and ministry, and I’m excited to do life with this family down the road. Some trips may be in order as the boys get older. But for now, I’ll settle for blog comments and play time with the kids. Families can lead a missional life while creating a solid home environment. I see it every time I run into the Akins.
