Balance

At the Cheyenne Association of Evangelicals meeting last week we broke up into prayer groups to end the meeting. As I was praying for the men in my group I really felt prompted to pray for men as leaders, both in the church and in the home. Since that day I've been trying to decide how to write down what I'm feeling. So here goes....
Men, YOU are the spiritual leader and protector of your home, the "gatekeeper" of the home. You are called by God to lead and protect your wife and kids, both spirutually and physically. It's not always easy or fun but it is SO important. Your family needs to see you lead. They desire to see you lead. You must make your family feel safe and secure.
So here's my big question. Where's the balance in all this? I think your family needs to see you work hard but they also need to see you "play" hard. They need to see you read your Bible but also be willing to put your Bible down to wrestle with your kids on the floor.
What about what you allow in your house. What kind of tv shows do you watch? What kind of movies do you allow or not? What do you do when one of your kids wants to go to a movie with their friends that you don't approve of? How much tv time do you allow? Then there's video games and ipods and cell phones and so on. Where's the line? I could go on and on but I think you get my point.
So where's the balance. I can't or won't tell you where it is for you, I can only tell you where it is for me. Seek God's will on this and He will be faithful to show you.
Then there's the whole dynamic of church and your leadership role there and how to balance all of that with your personal life. (I could spend all day on this part, but I'll spare you) Just please think about it, pray about it, be aware of the issue.
Men, just lead. Be willing to make the decisions BUT also be willing to listen to wise counsel, ESPECIALLY from you wife. Seek her advice and wisdom. There's a whole lot of reasons she's in your life.
Be willing and able to separate valid from invalid criticism. Be willing to make the tough decision, even when, especially when, it's not the popular decision. The right decision is STILL the right decision, popoular or not.
So where's the 'balance' in all this? Good question. I'm learning as I go just like you are.
Letting God lead, Grant