I woke up early with the intention that I would be able to get a lot of things accomplished. The kids are still in bed, so I will have the chance to write, to read, to workout.

But on this morning, Micah wakes up with me and his stomach is not feeling well. So he comes downstairs with me. I read my Bible beside him and write down some notes. He falls asleep. I check my emails and then plan to go for a short run.

Suddenly, he wakes up crying and starts to do that thing kids do before they throw up. I grab him and rush him to the toilet. After a few gags, he yells, I’ve got to poop! I quickly point his other end onto the toilet and… he is officially sick. He says he is done and pops off the toilet, only to then promptly poop on the floor.

I am not mad. I am not grossed out. My immediate response is sadness and compassion. I hate when my little buddies are sick. I clean him up, the toilet and the floor, and I get him back to the couch to rest some more.

I decide it’s best to not go for my run this morning. My wife is still asleep and one of us needs to be here in case Micah has an urgent bathroom visit again.

I can imagine someone reading this and saying this is exactly why they don’t want kids. And I will admit, sometimes having kids can be a lot.

But I would argue that it is moments like this where having kids is the best. Not because I want to be cleaning up poop off the floor or missing my workout or having my schedule interrupted. But because it is moments like this where I am reminded that I am not the most important person in the world.

My kids have taught me how to be sacrificial. To not place my own desires over another person’s. To not elevate my own position but place myself properly into the family unit. My household functions best when we all are together, loving on one another. Not when we each prioritize our own selves.

There was a time in my life where all I could think about was my next big adventure. While I still look forward to many adventures, I also find myself content right here, holding a sick toddler, telling him he will be okay. In fact, as bizarre as it may seem, there is nothing on earth I would trade for moments with my kids. Every day with them is priceless, better than any mountain view I have ever seen.

Search for the important things in life. I bet you find you don’t make the top of that list, and that’s okay.

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