Sunday, August 18, 2013

Your kids will love you for it (someday).

I wrote a few days ago about “Spiritual Headship”.  I believe this is a dynamic that affects every person’s life, whether they are aware of it or not.  When you walk into a store you can tell instantly whether it is a pleasant place to work or if those who are serving you can barely wait until it is time to go home.  In some stores that atmosphere is mostly created by the manager of a section who gets along well with those working along side him or her.  In a smaller, family-owned or run businessA, that atmosphere usually comes directly from the owner.  I deal with different paint stores and there is a huge difference between the service I get from a big box store, a national francize paint store chain that sells only paint, and a locally owned, family operated paint store that works very hard at keeping my business.

            My point is this.  The spiritual atmosphere created at the top of the organization I have to deal with is largely created by the attitude of the boss in charge.  It is not hard to tell if that person is an angry person who is hard to please.  Or if he is a fair minded person who is open to suggestions from those around him. 

            I’ve done a lot of reflecting about this because my father-in-law just passed away two weeks ago.  Lots of nice things will be said about him at his memorial service this afternoon, as should be the case.  This sweet, unassuming 92 year old pastor had a true servant heart.  He was dearly loved at the nursing facility where he spent the last 20 years of his life.  But I can testify that without being dictatorial about his faith, he set a tone of tenderness toward the Lord’s voice that has brought his Faith in Jesus Christ down to our generation.  Now it is our turn as patriarch and matriarch of our family to continue our influence toward godliness, faithful obedience, joyful submission to do everything we can to make following God the most attractive lifestyle possible.

            There are so many applications of this principle.  How about applying this to our homes?  Am I, as father to my children, seen by them as a tyrant who is difficult to please or am I approachable by my kids, willing to listen to their suggestions and ideas?  Is it okay for them to offer an alternative on how to get a chore done or is it Dad’s way, period, end of discussion?  Yes, there are times when I need to say. “No, I want it done this way.”  But if I have worked at creating a trusting relationship, hopefully those times when I need to set my foot down will be few and far between.

            Is my home a place where it feels comfortable?  We have had a few people over the years comment on how “peaceful” our home feels.  (That could be the absence now for several years of no toddler’s or rebellious teenagers.)  But even when our kids were in that age group, there was very little rebellious behavior because they knew we loved them and respected them as delightful young people.

            So what kind of persons are you drawing them out to become.  What is the spiritual atmosphere you are creating?  You can do this!  Day by day, one attitude at a time, based on one thought at a time, taken captive to the obedience of Jesus, the Lord of my home.

1 comment:

  1. Thank you for sharing these sweet words of wisdom, Wes. Even though you are now with Jesus, your thoughts are preserved and can continue to bless others as we read them. Your witness will last beyond your time with us on earth through the testimony in your children and grandchildren's lives. Love to your family. In your memory, Your Cousin.

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