A friend of mine sent the following advice to my inbox today. It really is priceless…
“Always remember your first ministry is to your wife and family. They are a gift to you and your heart needs to be with your family. Invest in your marriage. Keep doing special things for your wife that clearly express your love and desire for her. The enemy has broken up too many marriages and we need to stand guard and not sacrifice our marriage nor our children for the work of the ministry. Keep your priorities right and you will reap the benefits of a blessed marriage, children that know you love them more than the ministry. If you rule your house well, you will be able to rule the house of God.”
“Your ministry will only be as strong as you marriage and family.”
Thanks Ed!
This is huge! For those in full time ministry, or part-time ministry, or whatever. We are ALL called to be full time Christians, and that happens first right inside our homes!
I would love to open this up for feedback. Here’s the question – whosoever will, let them answer and contribute to this discussion, and let us not only talk about it but do it!
How can I clearly express love to my wife, or husband, kids, or parents (whichever is appropriate)?
I get to be the first to comment; for my wife…I can tell her that I love her everyday, all throughout the day, and I can come to bed early to cuddle with her 🙂 I LOVE YOU JYOTI!
Theres so many facets of Love. . . espescially in a relationship, being consumed with oneanothers company is a priceless gift only God can infuse in the hearts of the devote. I’ve come to realize yet another essential expression of Love. . . giving oneanother personal space and freedom. I know it may sound awkward but its true. You may love someone so much that you want to be their shadow and go everywhere together, this is wonderful yet individuals need time for personal reflection, a time to refill or regenerate till you join eachothers space again. This makes being together even more enthrawling; To Love is also to always be content while patiently desiring more, meet eachother where oneanothers willingness mends and ask only for them to be them is a true test of unfeigned Love.
I can be sensetive to the needs of my husband. It’s the little things I do like opening a door, giving him a hug, or sending a text message in the middle of the day that make his life more enjoyable. Reminding him constantly that I LOVE being his wife. For my kids, praising them, discipining when necessary and giving lots and lots of hugs!
Hey! That’s so good…and true, what you are saying about our families come first! First to be prayed for, first to be fed (spiritually AND naturally, first to be spent time with, first to be hugged and kissed, first…to be listened to, etc.. When parisheners see this happening in your family, they grow to respect that, and give you your time and space for that, they also learn by that example of how to treat their families..so let them watch! Don’t be afraid to give displays of affection to your kids and spouse when you are in the ministry. AND…the pay off is really GREAT, when you don’t hurt your family with repeating words of bitterness or resentmant towards others in the house of God who may have brought pain to you: Teach your family that when folks throw rocks at you,you reach out and catch them, instead of running from them; and the Lord turns those stones into “fruits” in your life…discipline, and fruits of the Spirit -ALL THE GOODNESS OF GOD! That’s His AMAZING GRACE! Keep loving the Lord in front of your children (at home!) Then we have children who still love the Lord dispite storms and hardships that come.
You can show that you love them by spending quality time with them! Doing things not only you enjoy but things they enjoy as well.
When Brian went away for the weekend I posted little notes all throughout his luggage so each day he would find a note.
Greeting your spouse each day with a kiss as they come through the door!
And for the kids they love every moment that you spend with them. Our kids love it when we go for a walk/run and they get to ride their bikes and then we end at the park where they can play for a while.