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.