Being a dad is one of the most difficult yet profoundly amazing experiences I have ever had in my life. It is amazing to think that I can go from hero, playing outside with my son on his jeep, to zero, accidentally stealing his breakfast and lunch on two separate occasions all within the same week, in the matter of an instant.

Work and Legacy

There is also this thing that most all of us have to deal with in life: a J-O-B. I am fortunate enough to love where I work, but that doesn’t make it any better when I choose work over my family. As if trying to win at work wasn’t hard enough, we also need to be mindful of being present and making sure we are spending quality time with our family.

Recently I read a book by Dave Ramsey called The Legacy Journey. It mentioned a verse from the Bible that hit me like a ton of bricks:

If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (1 Tim. 5:8).

Thanks again, Apostle Paul, for the extra pressure to get this balance of work and family correct.

I am right in the middle of really starting my career and making a great impact within my company. I am being trusted more every day and given more responsibility. I’m making new partnerships and dealing with hundreds of thousands of dollars a month and now I have to seriously consider my legacy as it relates to balancing hustling at work and also being there for my family.

Also, I can’t just focus on my kids. I also need to focus on the person who has been with me through a lot of ups and downs, the beauty of life, and all the craziness a marriage can offer: my wife, Lindsay.

Balance…it’s a joke. When it comes to the day to day, it doesn’t exist. Balance only exists when we take the long approach and we look at our life over time.

Relax

The overarching theme of “relax” is being brought to my attention the more I read, learn, and listen to those far beyond me in wisdom. The Lord has been gently reminding me that, “Yes, Paul, you need to hustle and do all that you can as unto the Lord (Col. 3:23-24), but you need to relax and enjoy this journey. Fight for your family first, then your job second. I WILL take care of you. Create, then respond, to the opportunities that I bring to you.” I have never heard a message more clearly in all my life.

Life is like walking a tightrope. It’s only balanced when you look at it from the long view. We need to take it day by day and make sure that we don’t just focus on work, but that we also pour into our family as well.

Editor’s Note: On “Flashback Friday,” we take a look at some of IFWE’s former posts that are worth revisiting. This post was previously published on Nov. 17, 2016.

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