UNCOMMEN: Empty NestSample

Time to Level Up

We were sitting at the dinner table one night, and I told my sons that I wanted them to be twice and three times the man I'll ever be. But that I wasn't finished, and I was going to push, pull, and raise the bar to glorify God until I died. I told them I had just entered my prime (52), and they were going to have to earn it.

Now I know that I'm not the mark to beat or even mimic; they should be like Christ Jesus. While this statement was mostly meant to challenge them to keep growing, it was for me as well. My job as a Dad and Grandfather doesn't end when my children move out of the house. It ends when God says I'm done. My example, leadership, provision, counsel, encouragement and support is still needed. It may be required differently, but it's still needed.

As an all-American card carrying problem solver, it's difficult to remain silent when I think I need to let them know what I would do in that circumstance. But I'm learning to hold my tongue and pray for God to provide wisdom for my sons in any situation they find themselves in at the moment. If they ask for my input, then I should give Godly input and not my agenda-tinted input.

I try to remember when I was going through the beginnings of just getting married or just had a baby and what kind of support I truly needed. It wasn't the glancing blows of perceived wisdom from people; it was from people I trusted to advise me. If you come across as selfish or condescending in your input, they may stop asking.

Remember that child who looked up to you as a toddler, adolescent, teenager, young adult and now full-grown is still looking at you.

Uncommen Questions:

Are you ready to take your Dad game to the next level? Your children need you to.

Are you praying for wisdom? Are you praying for your children?

Are you preparing yourself to be ready to give Godly counsel when asked for?

Are you ready to be silent when needed?

Uncommen Challenge:

I challenge you to never stop growing in your walk with Christ because He is going to prepare you for the next level of communication and leadership of your family.

Scripture Verse:
Isaiah 40:31