As young families transition to their back-to-school routine, I have had a number of dads say it is harder than ever to establish a good life-balance. “It is absolutely insane with all the kids’ activities and my wife and I working full-time. We have not eaten dinner as a family this month!” He also said that technology and the hybrid model of working remote with two to three days in-office a week has blurred the lines between work and home.
Life is not about balance. It is about right priorities. The devil’s best scheme is to distract dads and moms from the right priorities as he tries to claim some degree of equal status with Jesus. BUSY stands for Being Under Satan’s Yoke, and it can keep whole families in a reactive mode to the latest demand on their time. Thus, BUSY-ness needs to be addressed head-on through structured discussion that reviews the family routine and calendar, first as dad and mom, then with the kids.
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30. When the world says do this and that, Jesus says come be in relationship with Me. When the world says you don’t have what it takes, Jesus says take My yoke upon you and learn from Me – He is always available to share the load and provide strength needed to plow through a valley. To learn is a call to read Scripture in a disciplined way that illumines His ways. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord (Isaiah 55:8). It takes intentionality to view worldly situations through a Biblical lens and draw closer to His ways. Then the rest that goes with a personal relationship with, and trust in Jesus the Christ will be found. On the journey, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and grant you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26). Know that peace is a translation of the Hebrew word shalom. Shalom in its most expressive fullness is not the absence of war, but a positive state of rightness and well-being in the midst of battles faced. Such peace is possible by taking His yoke upon you.
Tips to take His yoke upon you:
- Establish personal time for devotion and prayer daily;
- Pray together as husband and wife daily; and pray with kids nightly;
- Review work, family routine and school calendars and agree on right priorities;
- Try to eat dinner together as a family five times a week with all technology off;
- Set parameters for technology in the home for kids and adults;
- Lead the way to church on Sunday;
- Establish regular family discussion time to review the routine and priorities;
Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for Your word and Your yoke. I confess that I have been caught up in BUSY-ness with priorities that reflected a worldly focus and a secular worldview. Forgive me. I want reset priorities under Your word and lead my family with a Biblical worldview. Help me establish priorities and a family routine that will glorify You. Strengthen me to take on Your yoke, learn from You and enjoy the rest and shalom You offer. That is the dad You call me to be, and that’s the dad my kids need to see. Amen.
A faithful father establishes priorities and a family routine that will glorify God.
As young families transition to their back-to-school routine, I have had a number of dads say it is harder than ever to establish a good life-balance. “It is absolutely insane with all the kids’ activities and my wife and I working full-time. We have not eaten dinner as a family this month!” He also said that technology and the hybrid model of working remote with two to three days in-office a week has blurred the lines between work and home.
