2:176 – A Saint In The Streets, Broken At Home

#faithbites #faithjourney saint

I’ve been listening a lot to Known Legacy and really enjoying what they say about being a dad and a man in today’s world. In the past several episodes, the theme of being their and speaking life into your children has been present. Not only that, but what does it mean to win at life.

Some of us think impacting the most people means winning. Others thing getting the next promotion or making more money is winning. All of those things are earthly symbols that may have nothing to do with winning.

The theme that has really come home is that I can reach a million people, I can speak the word of God to everyone I meet, but if I am not doing that at home, I’ve failed. There are tons of pastors, preachers, and good people in the world. My children have one father, me. My wife has one husband, me. If I don’t speak love into them and give them a legacy of love and Christ, I’ve failed.

We need to do a better job of becoming one person. Not the work Sol and home Sol or the church Sol and the geek Sol. Just one person who is the same everywhere and invests more in his family than everywhere else. This is what it means to truly be a servant of God.

Scripture

• For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? – Matthew 16:26 KJV

Reflection

I have a good job, money in the bank, a roof over my head, a place in the church, and friends. I share my thoughts and feeling and #faithjourney with any who will listen. At the same time, I yell at my wife and kids on occasion. I don’t play with my children as much as they want me too. Sometimes I choose involvement with work or church instead of being home as it will, in my head, have a bigger impact on the world.

But, where should we be putting that effort? How do we balance our home responsibilities and our other duties. If I am seen as a saint in the streets but my kids see me as the one who is growly and yells, is that doing God’s work?

Don’t get me wrong, we all ha e good days and bad days. But where are we investing our efforts? Are we dating our wife and children? Do we give them individual time. Are we giving them a legacy of love rather than a legacy of work. We do need to work hard, but we can spend 10 minutes to watch a stupid YouTube video or play a game, throw the football or color. These things cost next to nothing, but will impact them for days.

As our scripture says, what do we profit if we gain everything but lose our souls? And for me, my family is my soul.

Charge

How do you invest your time? Do you control your calendar or do others. Make a date night with your spouse and kids. Carve out 15 minutes to listen to your kid or watch a video. The activity isn’t important, it is you being fully dedicated to them and making a new memory.

Prayer

Father God, many of us are far from being a saint. We try to do good works in the public and for others often at the expense of our family. We get wrapped up in the lie of the world that we need the biggest house, newest car, best job, and most money to impact our children. Remind us that you chose us and only us for our spouse and children. Give us your strength to drop the things we think are important to truly focus on what is important. We know that when we flow your plan, we develop a lasting legacy of love through you that will last long after we are gone. Thank you Lord. In your name, Amen.