I remember being the GM for a well known gym in the united states. Every quarter we would do a talent review of the whole region. We would go employee by employee to see what their next step was in the company. As we neared the end of our time, a familiar name came up. I knew this employee personally. He was a friend, so I knew it would be best for me to sit back and listen to see what my fellow Managers would say.
“B minus!” one of the GMs shouted. I was a little bit confused, but the GM that shouted explained, “He is a B minus employee. He is a great guy and does everything we ask, but his family and faith are more important to him than his career. Good guy but he never works OT unless we need him too and He definitely doesn’t drink our Kool Aid.” At first I was taken back by the rating but as I thought through what was said about the guy, I begin to realize, I hope I would be labeled the same. He may have been a B minus employee, but I knew him to be an A+ follower of Jesus, husband and dad.
The apostle Paul says in Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” That is the word of God my friends. The fountain of truth and all that leads to a full life. Paul doesn’t say, “Love your careers, like Christ loved the church and gave himself up for it.” He clearly says wife and then family.
Careers come and go but a marriage can last forever. Promotions can quickly turn into pink slips and demotions, but a father or mother who values their kids above work helps them to understand a Christ like devotion. Work not quite done doesn’t take a way from the fact you need to love your Son or Daughter.
We will focus this December on ways to value what matters most. You need to be there even if it means missing a little bit of OT at work.
It’s time to be an A+ Follower, Husband(Wife) and Father(Mother) even if it means you will be a labeled a B minus employee.
What does that start to look like?
1) Learn from Jesus, He is your best example.
2) Be in church and bring your family.
3) Be home for dinner at the table.
4) Be present with your wife and children even if it means work gets neglected.
Im praying for everyone that reads this post.
See you Sunday,
Michael