by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

1 Timothy 3:2,4
An overseer... must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity.

The apostle Paul required that an overseer in the early church be a man who was a good manager of his household. My dad was that kind of man. I remember him as a man of quiet authority, who had time for us.

What kind of memories will your children have of you as a father? Will they remember a father who spent time with them, played with them, laughed with them? Or will they think of you as someone who was preoccupied with work, unfinished projects or a hobby?

And now let's really get personal: What would happen if you switched the energy you give to your job with the energy you give to your home and family? What would happen to work? What would happen to your home?

I realize this may be an unfair question because by necessity many men work long hours away from home. But too many fathers give almost all their energy to their jobs and leave none for their families.

I have a friend who has a 3x5-inch card on his desk that reads: Leave some for home.

He realized that, without this reminder shouting at him daily, he'd go home with no energy most of the time. His job was that draining.

We need to balance things out if the next generation is to get the kind of leadership it needs. Today we need fathers who are determined to save the energy to succeed at home, regardless of the cost.

As leaders and managers of our homes, we can't lead from afar. We've got to be there. And be all there!

Prayer:

Ask God to give you, as a father, the spirit of a servant and the strength of an overseer who manages his household well.

Discuss: As a father, what areas of home life do you find the most challenging to manage? How about time management? Do you make time to be present and available for each member of your family?

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