Growing and Growing

After a long day yesterday, I started the nightly ritual of “tucking in” five children. Each has their own routine—whether it involves going potty, needing a sippy cup, or making up a nighttime adventure. For my 6-year old, Dylan, the evening began with a question: “Dad, can you tell me about the prayer to get to heaven?

Words that I had not expected … probably because it came from the same boy who stuck a bead in his ear and swallowed a quarter in a seven day period last month … but words that I needed to hear. The next twenty minutes were precious: leading my son to join God’s family, seeing the excitement on his face, calling a few people to tell them the Good News, and me just beaming on the inside.

Last night was more than a significant moment in Dylan’s life … it was a moment that God gave me … to push forward, to take the reigns of this family, to continue with this stirring in my gut, to make a difference in the world.

To Dylan, a praying boy, it was perhaps the single most important decision he will make in his life. To me, the boy’s father, it was a small reward that pushes me onward. What pushes you onward?

There is change all around us. This post is not about external changes, like you may see on the new website … thanks Themescook! … I am talking about another kind of:

This change is about internal change. Not your internal change. Not my wife’s internal change. Not my kids’ internal change (…although some of them really, really need it…).

This change is about my internal change. I was reading Michael Hyatt’s
post last week about Leadership Lessons from General Tommy Franks. This is what caught my attention:

General Franks told the story of a young lieutenant who declared his intention to one day become a General himself. He asked, “Could you share with me the one thing I can do to advance my career and achieve this goal?”

General Franks told him, “Son, go out and buy two alarm clocks.”

The young officer, clearly confused by the General’s answer, asked, “Two alarm clocks?”

“That’s right,” General Franks explained. “If you can’t take responsibility for your own life and show up on time, you have no right leading anyone else. Don’t ever be late.”

Ouch! Here’s how I translated that one: If you cannot lead your own life, how can you be a leader? A leader of your family. A leader in you church. A leader in your community. A leader in your career.

While this may be a no-brainer for many of you, it really hit me like … like … like … like a log in my own eye. Right now, more than ever, my wife and kids need me to help lead our little clan through life’s challenges. Right now, more than ever, my clients and colleagues need a leader to help them weather these hard economic times. Right now, more than ever, I need to hear the wake up call and get started leading. Looks like it is time for me to go buy another alarm clock!

(Note: If you are not following Michael Hyatt, now is a good time to start doing so. He is the CEO of Nelson Publishing and has some great words of wisdom.)

The whole family went on an early morning walk this morning. At the very end, there was a big hill, so Matt and I got the kids out of the wagon to walk. Addy started crying because she wanted one of us to carry her. Matt and I continued to walk and in true Addy-style, she stood her ground screaming, “I CAN’T WALK! CARRY ME! I told Matt that if we continued to walk, she would still be standing there tomorrow at this time. I recently had a standoff at the zoo and tried it. She is definitely the strong-willed one of the family. It does not matter if you offer her an entire candy bar. She won’t eat it unless it was her idea (or you let her believe that). I know someday this characteristic will serve a purpose, but at the moment , it is challenging to say the least.

Anyway, to continue with my story: Dylan suddenly turned around and ran back to Addy. He held out his hand and said, “Here Addy, I will help you.” They ran hand-in-hand to meet us. What an awesome example of how Christ is with us. At that moment, Dylan knew that more than Matthew and I. No matter how stubborn we are, He comes back for us, takes us by the hand and helps us along. He definitely does not yell at us and walk away!