We’ve reached the time of year when so many parents begin to lament having their kids home for the summer. They immediately begin to schedule all sorts of sports, camps, and activities as a buffer. They act like their kids must be constantly busy or they will be unhappy, but really, they just don’t want to be around their own children. They treat their kids as an inconvenience then wonder why they can’t connect with them or why they run off and become wild. It should be no wonder at all.
I’m always baffled and saddened when I see these family dynamics. I always wonder why they decided to have kids if they don’t want to live with them.
I believe God put us in families to refine us. To cause the friction required in order to grow and mature. We need the challenges in our relationships because they show us any ugliness we have inside and give us opportunities to change and do better.
If we can’t care for our own families, then how can we care for others?
If we neglect and push aside our own families, then what business do we have trying to appear that we serve others.
It begins at home.
I’ve said it before and today I’ll shout it from the rooftops…
If you can’t minister to your own family, then you have no business trying to minister to others.
I believe that with all my heart.
Years ago, I made a commitment to never do anything outside of the home that I didn’t first do inside our home. I made a similar commitment when I began to lead worship. I knew that I couldn’t take others to a place in worship that I hadn’t first cultivated in private. It’s just true.
Life is not about being a celebrity.
Life is not about “likes”.
We live for eternity. Keeping eternity in mind, then live as an outpouring.
I’m not trying to sound harsh, but if I’m going to be true to writing devotionals, then I must be truthful and hopefully draw you into a real conversation with God.
How do you care for those in your household? Are they merely an inconvenience or do you see them as your top priority, under God? Be honest. No matter what your answer is, if it’s honest, there’s something to build upon.
Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat- for He grants sleep to those He loves. Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court. Psalm 127
365 Days in the Presence 