Home: Where Life Is Formed

By Rev. Dan Sailer, Pastor

Seabold United Methodist Church

April, 2004

 

If itÕs been awhile since you took stock of where you are going, join in with me. And how about an evaluation of the kids? Or your marriage? Or your own future? You know what I mean, trimming off the fat of lazy thinking and taking a lean, hard look at the years remaining.

 

As I write these words, IÕm looking ahead to my son AdamÕs graduation from the University of Washington.. WOW! I canÕt believe it! He is finished with college and better yet, we have survived! And my youngest son is buying his first house. Not only has he left the nest, but he is taking the first step to create his own. I really need to regroup my thinking. Time unendingly marches on.

 

Sessions set aside for evaluation and regrouping are needed throughout life, but especially at major intersections. Even the sports world has its time out and seventh-inning stretch, and pit stop and half time, so why shouldnÕt we? Force yourself to pull off the road, put your pace into neutral, and ask some hard questions.

 

Here are a few worth personal consideration:

  1. Am I really happy, genuinely challenged and fulfilling life?
  2. In light of eternity, am I making a consistent investment for GodÕs glory and GodÕs work?
  3. Is the direction my life is now taking, leading me toward a satisfying and meaningful future?
  4. Can I honestly say that I am in the nucleus of GodÕs will for me?

 

And for the kids:

  1. Am I spending sufficient time with the children so that they know I love and accept them and care very much about their future?
  2. Am I communicating life goals, a proper value system, a standard of ethics, a drive for excellence, and commitment to loyalty, integrity, generosity, and honesty to my children? Do they know how I feel about these things?
  3. Are they aware that they are worthwhile and valuable? Are they growing up to be positive, confident, secure, highly esteemed young men and women?
  4. When they leave the nest, will they be able to stand alone? For what are you asking the Lord on behalf of your life and your children?

 

I urge you, stop long enough to think it over. And donÕt just think; get alone and write down your thoughts, your dreams, and your aspirations. Refuse to let tonightÕs television programs or some insignificant activity interrupt this necessary discipline. If you put it off, you may lose the urgency you sense right now. Home is a lot of things . . . but mainly it is the place where life makes up its mind.