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Richard Hunter
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Harold was at the half-way point in his career. He was about 42 and could see the summit of success. He had the large office, the mahogany desk and a view of the Atlanta skyline. He was in demand to speak at conferences all over America and his corporation considered him one of their most valued executives.
He loved his wife and they had four children who were a challenge and a joy. They wrestled with busy schedules, the care of their home and finding enough time for the family. Lately, it seemed that Harold was on one schedule and his family was running on a completely different one. He was frustrated that he did not have time to be their spiritual guide, to put his children to bed or to take his wife out on a date each month.
Harold's best friend, Dave, also was an executive in a large company. Dave, Harold and their families used to get together for cookouts. Now, they rarely had the time. One day Harold ran into Dave at the Varsity. They sat together at one of those small tables eating chili dogs and onion rings. Harold told Dave he missed their family get-togethers. He also said that lately the rewards of being a successful corporate leader were losing their attraction.
Harold told Dave that he admired how Dave seemed to keep family first in his life and asked him how he did it. Harold was shocked when Dave quoted Jesus Christ, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15: 13). Harold thought this was very heavy: “Did he really mean die?”
He asked Dave what in the world this meant. Dave replied that in order for men to fully love their wife and children, they have to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ, just as Jesus gave his life for us. We are to follow his example. We have to die to selfish ambition and grow a new heart. Through God’s grace, we can become men that love our wives and children more than we love ourselves and the material things of this world.
Harold asked Dave what this would look like. It means we order our life priorities around our faith and family. It could mean changing jobs, but most likely it will mean setting priorities and making changes in our routine and habits. Most of all, it means seeking God’s will. Men, the best Valentine’s gift you can give your wife and children is unconditional love. And the best example of unconditional love I know of is Jesus Christ. Look to him for the example, the strength and the conviction to be a man whose desire is to love and lead his family.
Dr. Richard A. Hunter is senior pastor at the Snellville United Methodist Church. He can be reached by e-mail at:
rhunter@snellvilleumc.org
