Renew your mind

Men, this might sound crazy, but humor me for a moment.

What if instead of giving up things you enjoy so you can "be a good dad," you actually enjoyed your kids?  What if playing with them, teaching them and spending time with them really refreshed you and made you laugh? 

What if instead of wondering what your ex-girlfriend is up to, or instead of looking at porn, what if you actually thought your wife was beautiful and you treated her the way you did when you were dating?

What if instead of wishing you were hunting or watching the 1st quarter of the game on Sunday, you actually engaged and connected at church and you become the spiritual leader of your family?

This is crazy right?  We're guys, so there's no way we could want to spend time with our kids, be attracted to our wives like we were years ago, or actually like church...is there?

I think there may be a way.

There's a verse in Scripture (Romans 12:2) that says to "let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." 

So this week I'm going to try it.  If you ask me to describe the perfect woman, I'm going to describe my wife.  The highlight of my week is going to be taking my kids for a picnic at the park and then reading to them at the library.  And Sunday, Super Bowl Sunday at that, I want to worship the God of the universe, read His Word, learn from my pastor and apply those things during the week.

My family is more important than ESPN.  They should be, they need to be, they have to be.  I really like sports, but no game, play or event will matter to me 5 years from now.  I won't remember the score of last week's Spurs game.  But I will remember teaching my oldest daughter to ride a bike, the way my twins dance, and my son's first steps.

I promised God, my friends, my family and my wife that I'm committed to her until one of us dies, no exceptions.  So why should she get my leftovers just because we're married?  Wouldn't it be a good investment to love her well now, since we may have another 30 or 40 years together?

I believe the single most important thing any person can do is follow Christ and grow closer to Him.  Churches and church people aren't perfect, but God is.  We need to be the spiritual leaders of our homes.  Not only on Sunday, but every day.  Pray with your families.  Spend time in the Bible.  Model forgiveness, being a servant, and love to your friends and family.

Ask God to change your mind.  Put the right things first, and enjoy the other stuff as time allows.