Recently, something unfortunate happened to my family… Thankfully, it was not something life altering, but it certainly altered our routine for the week. My two youngest kids came down with strep and had to stay home for a couple days. Now I know that does not sound like a big deal, but when you are a busy family of five with clubs, meetings, and practices to attend; it came seem like the whole week just goes crashing down around you. However, something beautiful happened in the middle of all that chaos. Suddenly, we all had to just stay home one evening. A night that would usually be filled with practice, meetings, and appointments was suddenly cleared and all five of us found ourselves home at the same time. So what did we do? We had dinner, around the table, as a family. And it was magical…. As I reflected on the evening after my kids had gone to bed, I began to realize that I had been giving up too much ground to the world. I had allowed the world to dictate what we did, where we went, and even what my kids were exposed to. I had good intentions to be sure, but I was neglecting the things that really matter. Because of this, here are a couple suggestions I came up with as we fight for our family against a busy world.
- KNOW YOUR ENEMY
While we can point to lots of enemies, I want to focus on one and that is busyness. Busyness tries to convince you that you have to do everything. Busyness tries to tell you that if you don’t say, “yes” then you are missing out. Busyness tries to tell you that this is a “once in a lifetime” opportunity.
But guess what? Busyness is lying. You don’t have to do everything. Most of what you are doing now will not matter in 5 years. There will be plenty of opportunities for your family in the future, but they will only be kids once. Please don’t rob them of your time, love, and companionship as you usher them off to the next event.
Colossians 3:21 says, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they do not lose heart.” Paul knew that parents are tempted to push their kids too hard, so fight back! Let them live and learn what really matters!
- KNOW YOUR MISSION
Jesus said it very plainly, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
If these commandments are the two most important things that we can do as human beings, then does it not follow that these are the two most important things that we can teach our kids? I think so.
We have to remember this in light of all that the world is telling us to do. If an activity, or a club, or a show, or a piece of technology leads us down a path were we love that thing more than God or people created in the image of God; then it has become a dangerous and it needs to be put in check.
While many things may not be inherently bad, everything can become an idol if we let our hearts go unchecked.
- START SMALL
What do I do? How do I get started? We are so committed now; I don’t know how to pull back!
Often when we notice that our lives have gotten a little too hectic, we want to just quit everything and start over. (Or move far away and start a new life!)
Also, we tend to start trimming the things that seem to demand less of us when we get busy. This usually means church involvement gets cut as well as family time. DON’T DO THIS!!
Instead, I would suggest that you start small in other ways. Is there an evening that you as a couple or a family can block off to be together? Can you set aside one weekend a month that will remain free of other obligations? When you figure out when that is, stick to it! People will want to get you to compromise. They will say things like, “just this once” but don’t give in. Show the world that your home and your family are important! “No” is a very powerful word that you are allowed to use.
Now that you have said “no” to the world; say “yes” to God. Do a little devotion as a family. Ask your kids how something they learned at church affected their life that day. Listen to worship music as a family and even sing along!
Once you take that first step, you will probably notice that the world will keep spinning. Your kids will continue to have opportunities and no one’s life will be over because you missed that “one thing”. But you will probably also notice that your family will be healthier, your relationships will be stronger, and your love for God will deepen as you trust Him even more! “Little children, guard yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21)
