Psalm 127:2 “It is useless to rise early and stay up late, working your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know that the Lord enjoys giving rest to those He loves?”
When I was growing up, my Dad held down two jobs for as long as I can remember. He would work all day in the city and then come home at night and work on the farm until about midnight. He did that six days a week, but used the seventh to rest and recover. Each night for about five minutes, I recall having his full attention. As he got out of the car, his first question was, “did you get your chores done?” If I had and was carrying my softball and glove, he would throw with me for those five minutes before going into the house for dinner.
Over the years, I have worked as many as three jobs at a time to be able to provide the things that I believed my family needed. One thing I did poorly was to have any energy left for my family by the time I got home. Very seldom did I leave some for home.
What I now know is that my family didn’t really need all the “stuff” I was trying to provide for them. What they needed was my time and energy with them. Recent studies have shown that Americans average better than 47 hours per week at their jobs. That does not count the time it takes to get back and forth to work. With that kind of a schedule, we are understandably exhausted by the time we finally reach home each night.
Our “castle” becomes our escape: we don’t want to think, we don’t want to do, we just want to turn our minds off. And so we become couch potatoes. If we have activities with our families, we often participate in the event half heartedly. Then we collapse onto the couch for some peace, quiet, and a quick nap.
Have you ever done the math on how you divide your time between your work and your family? Don’t get me wrong. I’m a strong believer in giving a fair days labor to your employer. But, how do you want the world to remember you? “They gave their life to the office?” As hard as you work at your job for success and approval, do you work as hard at home? Or do you give everything you’ve got to your employer and have nothing left for home?
“Balance” is a key word here! We can work our normal jobs, but we need to make sure we have time and energy for our families. We need to take some energy home. Don’t escape for long periods of time to your “cave,” but be an active part in the lives of the ones who love you more than your employer does.
Make it a priority to put more balance between your family, the Lord’s work, and your job and career. In other words, “Leave Some for Home.”
Since we all need reminders, you can go to www.leavesome.homestead.com to see a special reminder for you to print. Find some card stock and print the card you prefer. Place it on your desk or workspace to remind you to leave some time and energy for your family.
