Laziness

Hey - here I am! I have not fallen off the face of the earth, though I have not been well... But no real good excuse as to why I have not been blogging, other than laziness!

Do you ever evaluate what you are doing? Do you ever wonder if your life is passing you by? Do you ask yourself what effect you are having on those around you?

Over the past few months I have been reflecting on areas of my life that have been unproductive. There are many, much to my disappointment, however I don't want to stay in this state.

Funny you know, I have been reading a book called 'Manhood' An action plan for changing men's lives. It has been a helpful book for me to read. The chapters go like this.
1) The Problem 2) Seven Steps to Manhood 3) Liberation for the Rest of Us! 4) You and Your Father 5) Sex and Spirit 6) Men and Women 7) Being a Real Father 8) Making School Good for Boys 9) Finding a Job with Heart 10) Real Male Friends 11) The Wild Spirit of Man 12) Men's Groups.

All topics that men think about and want to learn about - but don't really talk about with each other. This author has really researched and studied these area's and serves his reader well.
The guy who has written this book is Australian. His name is Steve Biddulph. He is more known for his book 'Raising Boys', perhaps? Nevertheless, this is a great read.

Now the book is not written from a Christian perspective, however there is some truth in this book that is rather confronting. Here is a big one! We as dads are more influential on our children than we think we are.

So often we think that by chatting with our kids and telling them what they oughta do, is going to be enough. Sadly it's not what we tell them, rather it's how they see us living that speaks a hundred times louder that anything we say.

That truth is so hard hitting and confronting I can feel like an absolute failure and think to myself - why bother? But rather than thinking like that and living in condemnation or defeat, I need to take my thoughts captive and pray. You see, because I believe in Jesus I can run to the cross! I can cry out and ask God to help me! I can read God's Word that reminds me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! You see brothers, I am able to confess my sinful ways to my Heavenly Father and receive forgiveness. I don't have to live in a defeated state, because I am not defeated. I am convicted but not defeated. The Bible reminds us that there is therefore now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. So we can repent of our sin, whether its being lazy, harsh with our wife or children, being dishonest, viewing porn whatever the sin is, we must repent and ask for help.

After asking God for help, another helpful idea is finding a mate you can talk with and ask him to hold you accountable for how you are using your time. Invite your mate's accountability as you seek to lead and serve your wife and children better. Remember that if your sinfulness is effecting your wife and children (which it will be), remember to humble yourself before them and apologise. That is something you can model for your children, if your wondering where to start!

This is something that I am working on - because I know this will help me as I parent with an eternal perspective...