Course Correction
Have you ever stepped back and observed an area of your life that was not turning out like you expected? Earlier this year I made that observation about our family; specifically how we were spending our time. It’s not that it was bad, but I started to get the sense that our children’s activities outside the home were starting to pull too much of our time together out from under our feet. We have been very careful about what we allow our kids to commit to; remembering that every decision is a direction, lead me to ask and wonder where all our busyness was taking us as a family.
I do believe in the power of the individual. I do believe that each person is uniquely created by God and has talents, skills, and gifts that they contribute to the world to make it a better place. The problem however in training great individuals; is that we can fail to teach them their identity in context of others (family). So a few weeks ago Ally (my middle child) asked if she could participate in another sport; it was then that I realized what was happening. It wasn’t that I didn’t want her to do it; I just realized that she couldn’t do it because of the commitment (time and money) we had made to our oldest daughters sport. I realized that it was not fair for one child’s activities to determine what the others were allowed to do, or for that fact what our family was allowed to do.
All that to say we started to pray. Maybe for the first time in a long time; we (JJ and I) got specific about what we needed the LORD to do. We didn’t tell him what to do; we simple confessed what we needed to happen in order for our family to stay connected and for each child to get time developing their talents and gifts in a way that would allow each of them to become all God created and intended for them to become. And you know what happened?
We started to LOOK for answers, opportunities; anything that would allow us more time as a family, less money, but time for each kid to explore their interest and God provided exactly what we are praying for. I’m leaving out the details here; because I want to encourage you to go to HIM yourself. Express your needs and concerns. If you truly desire what he wants for your family and your kids he will make a way when there is no way. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more that we can ask or image. According to his power that is at work within us. To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever. Amen
