Lead

Leadership demands grit. The phrase “passive leader” should be tossed into the pile of other laughable oxymorons like civil war, open secret, exact estimate, or my personal favorite: government efficiency. To lead requires clear vision to a clear objective joined by a staunch determination to see it through. 

God commands husbands to lead their families in faith towards the productivity of godliness. Sloth dupes men into thinking that this will come about by mere chance. A husband must have high expectations for himself and for his wife and children. But he must not think that daydreams about his kids being better at their chores will suddenly materialize into a strong work ethic in his children. 

Your wife and your kids are not mind-readers. You must set your plans before God. Lay them out before your wife for her input. Then take her ideas into consideration, to at last chart a course to those objectives. Once that plan emerges, leadership forges ahead by divvying up responsibilities with planned checkpoints to review progress.

This is where grit comes in. Upon encountering actual circumstances and people, plans always twist themselves into a hopeless knot, like a ruined slinky. When those you are leading complain or shrink back or make excuses you’re presented with a test. Will you give way to wrath? Will you unleash a torrent of insulting complaints upon their heads? Will you throw your hands up in discouragement and give up? 

Instead, a good leader pours buckets of blessing upon those under his care. He shows the way by breaking his own back in the effort. He ensures that whatever is necessary for the tasks he’s assigned is provided. Adjustments are made with a grin not a growl. But he most certainly does not divert or despair. He serves his family best by pointing the way and plodding steadily onward.