Unquantifiable... but can it be qualified?

Okay, so we'll agree that how much time (in quantity) that a husband/father spends working to make a living wage is going to vary for each family.  For some, fewer actual hours "on the job" may be neccessary than for others.  Some may need to be away from the family for extended periods, and some may need to hold down more than one job to make ends meet.  

Not getting into the whole sticky debate of whether a man could/should seek other employment if in fact his family can't manage with him being gone so much, let's look at qualifying that time.

I submit that in a family of perpetual parturition, it is not feasible for a husband to *choose* to spend more time at work than is neccessary to make a living for the family and at the same time fulfill his role as husband and father.  Notice I don't draw the line at barely maintaining sanity.  No, we're talking about fulfilling-- as in FULLNESS.  

On the other hand, I recognize there are situations in which the number of hours a husband must work to make a living wage is more by neccessity.  I'll mention that again later.

As my brain has shut down for the evening, I'll have to leave it at that for now.  

zzzzzZZZZZZ

The Elephant in the Room

I don't know how many are even keeping up with this blog, as my posts have been so few and far between, but I think I am finally ready to address something that has been a long time in coming. I'm hoping to see a good discussion of this, and if it's to be better accomplished somewhere else with more readership, so be it.

The question was asked some time ago how a pastor and his family appropriately balance their time. After pondering this whole topic for several months, and meanwhile having gone through a transition in the last year or more that begs the same question, I am ready to see this through. In fact, I NEED IT. We here in our own family are at an impasse of sorts, However, while it is certainly pertinent to pastors' families, I believe the principles here apply to any family, regardless of the husband/father's vocation. So here we go!

We all know that, after putting the Lord first of course, the primary duty of a husband is to be the care and nurture of his wife and family. Part of that is making a living wage. So how do we determine how much time and energy is appropriate, or even neccessary, for a husband to spend on making the money that supports the family? And how do we determine what is above and beyond that?

I'll leave it at that, and see where it goes. Thoughts??

The Lord Giveth...

Our family was pleasantly surprised less than two weeks ago to 'officially' find that we were expecting a ninth child. How exciting! So soon, and yet we were so happy. (#8 is just six months old) Departing from our earlier ways, we told the kids right away and some family and friends too. Wow, nine.

...and the Lord taketh away.

My husband and I were just beginning to wrap our minds around the idea, when just as surprisingly, we lost our new little one. Yesterday. And a blood test confirmed what we thought, that we did indeed have a little one, who indeed had died. We told the children at the breakfast table this morning, and grieved together.

And we know that the reason we were so very happy, and are now so sad, is because we cherish each precious, fragile life, no matter how short and unseen. If I thought this was a 'product' of our married virility and fertility, it would be a different picture altogether. Knowing, and actually believing, that God is the one who is control, gives us the comfort only He can offer, as the Author of all life. We didn't 'mess up.' He in His divine wisdom is working good from this brief life.


Blessed be the Name of the Lord.