Are You Headed for Billy Graham's Regret?
Billy Graham was once asked if he had any regrets. He responded that, among other things, he wished he had spent more time with his family. He didn't say he wished he could have held more crusades each year, or that he regretted not spending more time imparting spiritual counsel to world leaders.
He regretted not spending more time with his family.
I have a question for you. Do you find yourself zooming at the light-speed of daily life toward Billy Graham's regret? Of course not intentionally ... one of Larry Fowler's main points in Raising a Modern-day Joseph is that the crises we find ourselves in within our families and churches are unintended crises.
But nonetheless do you find yourself there -- with a demanding work life and a packed personal calendar and too many meaningful church ministry opportunities that you are "just the person" to fill?
He regretted not spending more time with his family.
What if you and I purposed in our hearts that we will not end (or start, for that matter) the upcoming Awana year sharing Mr. Graham's regret? What will it take for us to keep our families in their rightful places of priority even as we seek to be in ministry in the local church?
I'm not saying it's easy. I'm just saying it's essential.
Because the stark reality is that, if our home lives are not honoring God, then our outside-of-home ministry impact is really only a shell of what we (and others) think it might be.
Am I all of a sudden down on church ministry? No way! But I'm very passionate these days about church ministries recognizing and supporting the fact that the home is the first and best discipleship center ever devised. I guess that's why I'm so excited about HomeBase and the 1000 Church Challenge for this fall. Churches and parents in partnership instead of like ships passing in the night...now that's an idea whose time has come!
Who knows? If we could "get this right" as leaders and prioritize our homes as our first and best ministries, it could be one of the greatest legacies of Awana! Think of it: 250,000 Christians seeking to practice genuine, courageous, innovative leadership in their homes as a priority ... with no regrets.