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 The Joys of Family 11/19/98 |
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The Joys Of Family
In the last few years I have battled the conflict of Family and Ministry. I use the word conflict because that's what it was. Time with Family and Time with Ministry. I battled with it for almost 2 1/2 years.
I take my call to ministry very serious and my call to be a Father and Husband. I'm a person who loves the mornings and that is when I get most of my work done. So I would get up at 5:30a.m. and get started on things and head to the office. I would come home around 5:00p.m. and some times 6:00p.m. I would then get a quick bite to eat and then go calling on students, go to a athletic event, or call on a family in the church. I would then return home at 8:00 to 8:30p.m. to again miss seeing my kids before they went to bed. After a time I could since a resentment from my wife for the amount of time I spent with church related activities.
She was right! I was putting my so call ministry first and my family second. I truly believe this statement: "If you are not living the Christian life at home then it is fake any where else." We got to be living the Christian life at home!
In the last several months God has been bring a joy into ministering to my family. In fact God has being bring a balance between Family and Ministry.
It all came about when I read Psalm 127:3 "Sons are a heritage form the Lord, children a reward from Him."
I started to realize the great reward of my children and my wife. They were a blessing from God. With being a blessing, God also quickly reminded me of 1 Samuel 1:11 when Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord. I dedicated my two girls to the Lord when they were born and I realized more than ever the importance of spending time reading, playing, teaching, loving, and giving of my time.
I have found the returns far greater than one could imagine. Take for instance my daughter Emily who is 3. I have been saying to her a lot, "it is a good day to be a Christian." What is so cool about it is this, she will say that phrase to about anyone. A neighbor, a stranger who is in a restaurant, and etc. . . When asked why it is a good day to be a Christian, she simply reply's, "Jesus loves me and He died for me." I know that she probably doesn't totally understand what she is saying, yet isn't that cool. I don't think she would say that phrase if I didn't spend time with her.
I must spend time with my family! It is far greater investment in the long haul!
Actually, I have found that since I have changed my schedule around and have started spending more time with family I am getting more done in the office than ever before. God will bless it! He will, trust Him on it.
I like what Chuck Swindoll says, " Whatever else may be said about the home, it is the bottom line of life, the anvil upon which attitudes and convictions are hammered out. It is the place where life's bills come due, the single most influential force in our earthly existence."
Be Committed To:
Well, I'm home early anymore. When it gets to be 3:00p.m. even if I'm not done with my task I'm headed toward home. My calling on adults, Students, and special meetings are done in one or two nights. And guess what? God is accomplishing and doing more for the Kingdom through me since I place my family as the main priority.
Also, please do one more thing men! Set down with your wife and set date nights out for the next four months. She will love this !!!!!!!!!!
Next week there will be no Thought Of The Week. But, the following week I will share about empowering others to do ministry. This was one of the keys that got me to be able to leave and go home on a consistent basis.
God is Good All The Time!
"He Must become greater, I must become Less"
John 3:30
Brad.
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Last Updated: 08/12/99 01:21 PM About this page contact: Mark Brumels |