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This morning as I sat and talked with my Dad over a cup of coffee at our local drug store (Starbucks), one of our staff members from the church joined us for a while.  He has recently become a new dad and is full of stories and excitement that all dads have once experienced.

It was fun to listen to him and watch him tell his stories with drama and energy.  But you could see a glaze of fatigue and lack of sleep that only comes from having a newborn in the house.  As my dad and I sat and listened, we were both loading our guns to tell our own stories that were bigger and better in our own mind.

“Well let me tell you what happened to me…”

We got to a point in the conversation where I asked him if he was ready for some “been there done that” wisdom?  He said that he would be glad to hear it.

I reminded him of how easy is, how easy it will be, and if not careful, how habitual it will become to point the majority of his attention to the new addition to the family.  He looked at me as if “Yah! So?”

My point was that if one is not careful, the attention and affection that was once solely directed toward your spouse, could now be pointed solely at the child and the spouse can easily begin to feel left out.

The spouse might say, “When you used to come home from work, you would come in and give me a big hug and kiss.  But now you come in and go straight to the baby and I might get a “hello honey.”

It is so important for both spouses to keep an eye on the primary relationship.  It is not only necessary, but is very natural to give the new addition to the family lots of love and attention.  But it is also necessary to make sure that the needs of the spouse are being met.

I am simply suggesting that each spouse make it a priority to check on the primary relationship regularly and make sure it is ok.   Keep loving up that child and shower them with affection, but don’t forget number one.

I think our young father friend left the drugstore with something more to chew on than just his coffee cake.

May we all take a moment and make sure that our spouse knows that they are still number one in our heart.

Joel

I have been so impressed by the Lord lately about the importance of following Him with all that I am and hope to be.  I did a word study on the word “follow” and discovered a wide variety of uses of the word.

In classical literature, the word was used in a military context.  A soldier would follow the orders of his commanding officer without question or hesitation.  His obedience to his commander could have a direct effect on his fellow soldiers.  If he delayed, it could cost them their life and if he followed immediately it could save their life.

It was also used in the context of a conversation and trying to follow a train of thought.  Have you ever been in a conversation and it was a struggle to follow where someone was going?

It was also used for following someone’s advice.

The thing I began to discover was how all of those uses have a direct application to you and I and our walk with the Lord.  The result of our following him could have a direct effect on those around us.  Just imagine if we were to respond to his leading and wisdom immediately and with confidence.  Just think of the impact that could have on our marriages, parenting, work environment, home life, etc.  If we delay in our obedience, it could have an impact on those places as well.

When is the last time you went to the Lord for advice?  Did you follow it?  Have you been following the train of thoughts that He has been speaking to you through your time in the Word?

Are you following Him?

May we all make it a focus of our life to follow Him this week.  May we set aside our own wisdom and understanding and in all our ways acknowledge him and watch him make our paths straight.

In His Grip,

Joel