(If you haven’t read part one, start here.) Where to begin? Well for starters, no more excuses. When I am too busy to lead my family and my sons…I will cut the clutter out of my life and lead! When I feel like I am too tired to serve my kids or that they are in the way of me doing something I want to do (TV, Twitter, rest, movies, sports, etc) I will eliminate those things from my life until I have reoriented my priorities! When I am selfish, angry, or yelling at my boys, I will go to the Word of God and confront the lies of the flesh that say I am entitled to ‘me time,’ or that I am justified in yelling…AND REPENT of my sin! Then I will apologize and ask for forgiveness. I will confront all lies with God’s Truth.
So where do I begin? I have already started. I have prayed with my sons three nights in a row. I have repented (turn and go in a complete opposite direction) of my sin before them for the way I get frustrated, angry and do not treat them the way God calls me. I have made time to read a book called “Giant Love” which is an illustrated book on the Gospel. I have spent hours reading God’s Word.
What is the concrete plan for discipling my 3, 6 & 7 year old? I do not know, but I will not let that be the excuse that keeps me from moving forward. Until I have a concrete plan, I will pray and talk about the Lord with my boys. I will point them to God when they stumble and I will lead our family in pursuit of the Lord.
God has given me three sons. He could have given them to anyone… but He chose me! I have chosen Him. As is seen time and time again in Scripture, one faulty, inadequate, messed up individual with Almighty God can accomplish any task that He has been given.
Deuteronomy 6:1-9 is a fantastic passage on how I should lead our family. Ephesians 6:4 is a specific call to fathers that I need to be reminded of daily. I will no longer be to busy or to lazy or have any excuse for not leading my sons to God. I accept my responsibility.
What about you? What has been your excuse, your lie, your reason? God has called you, God has given you & God will guide you in raising up your sons & daughters… but we have to make time. We have to accept the responsibility. We have to courageously persevere as we pursue God & lead our families! You do not have to walk alone. As men we need to band together and spur one another on to resist passivity, resist selfishness, resist any excuse that would keep us from fulfilling our God-given role! Are you with me?