HOUSE OF ROBERTS BLOG

I know, a real positive way to start my first letter to you Dads out there, but hang with me for a second. These aren’t my words; these words were spoken thousands of years ago by a man named Jethro and were recorded in Exodus 18:17. He spoke them to his son-in-law Moses when he came and visited him. You know, the Ten Commandments guy? Moses was charged to lead the Israelites, out of Egyptian slavery and into a land that God had prepared for them. Moses had a wife, two kids, and a massive calling! At some point in all of this, Moses had sent his family back to where Jethro lived, probably a smart play since at different points, people were threatening to kill Moses.

Now, though, it was time for Moses to be reunited with his family; Jethro brought Moses’ wife and children back to him. Jethro hears all that God put on Moses’ heart to do, then he takes a day and observes how Moses structured his schedule. After all that he comes to Moses with these words, “This is no way to go about it…” In other words, Moses you have this incredible call, but how you are structuring your life is not healthy, and you won’t be able to maintain this pace especially now that I have brought your family back to you. The bottom line is the way Moses was approaching his life, energy, and time needed to change.

Here is what I know about you Dad; you have an incredible call on your life. You were born with a destiny and greatness dwells on the inside of you, and if you’re reading this, you probably have a wife and kid(s). I’m also guessing that you’re struggling to do all of that well. You’re trying to make something of yourself and create a better life for your family, but it seems as though your family isn’t in the picture. May I be a Jethro to you for a moment? May I bring your family back to you and suggest that how you are going about life right now is not the way? That if you continue with this pace, it will burn you out and negatively impact your wife and kids.

Now I know that’s easy for me to say, I don’t know the specifics of your life, but I can relate to the way you feel. I’ve been there, shoot I’m still there; wrestling with how to live the life that God has for me as well as be an awesome husband and father. However, there came a point in my life where I had to acknowledge that the way I was stewarding my time, energy, and schedule had to change and I brought in some “Jethros” to give me Godly counsel on what I needed to do.

“This is no way to go about it…” Does that resonate with you? If so, then invite Godly counsel into your life. That might be a Pastor, Small Group Leader, father figure, or someone you have admired from afar. Share with them your frustrations and desires for your life, and then let them see how you manage your schedule. Ask what they think you should adjust, then listen to what they say. Whatever they recommend, pray about it, and if you feel like that is what you need to do then make the changes. They may be small changes, they may be big ones, but God is with you and I am cheering you on.