Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

           I read. A lot! I try to read something every day. Most of the time it is leadership books or ministry books. Sometimes it is about marriage and family or even a subject that I am researching to teach. I read my bible every morning and then also at some point during the day. But, my wife has convinced me as of late to also read for entertainment. I used to while I was in school but had pretty much stopped for fear I was wasting time. I read all three of the Hunger Games books and really like them. Book Two was a little girly but one and three were excellent. I also like to read the news online. I steadily take in Foxnews.com and also CNN.com. And this is where the fuel for today has come from. An article on CNN that says that a poor economy makes it difficult to teach family values.

            ARE YOU KIDDING ME? What does love, respect, loyalty, and honor have to do with the economy? As if because you are wealthy gives you an advantage over someone who isn’t to teach your children about VALUES… PLEASE!!!!

            How much you are worth on a bank or investment statement has nothing to do with how much you are worth. I love for wealthy people to tell me how to live my not-so-wealthy life. Don’t you, really?

My mom worked outside of the home as well as my dad but I never felt disadvantaged on being taught morality and values. On the contrary, it was very clear that how we acted was not determined by circumstances but by our faith. Tammy works a full-time job, helps me with the church and volunteers at school functions when time allows. I work a job that is never ending, many late nights and long hours. We have never, ever, thought to ourselves: “We don’t have a lot of money so we should just let teaching our children how to be good Godly people slide this month.”

PLEASE!!!!!!

            And for heaven’s sake don’t you dare tell me that a mother that doesn’t work outside of her home is a better mother than Tammy or my own mother. But, I understand where some people would think this…..NO I CAN’T!

            There is nothing inherently bad about wealth but there isn’t with not being wealthy either. No matter where you are in “food chain” morals aren’t a moving target. Standard of living doesn’t figure into standards of acting. Yes, having to be creative with finances to make sure everything is taken care of is straining on our relationship but that’s where the values kick in. My circumstances do not change my integrity (ps. That’s a value, CNN).

            Bottom line. Stop the excuses on poor family values. Selfish parents choosing anything and everything over spending precious time with their spouses and children are more of a cause than Wall Street status. If moms and dads would work together to create an awesome home rather than always trying to upgrade houses, kids would see what was really of worth; each other. I want my kids to have more. I mean it. I wish my daughter didn’t have to work and go to school but I pray that she is learning a valuable lesson in the process.

            And kudos to the parents who are able to give their kids expensive gifts and yet, instill the most priceless gifts of all; integrity, Godliness, humility, and the list goes on. Funny thing is that these people would still do that if they weren’t wealthy.

            That’s it. Your value on your monthly statements isn’t a measuring stick for your real worth. God made it very clear when he sent his Son to die on a cross for every one of us. We are priceless! Pass that along to your children.

            Oh, and hey CNN; Put that in your pipe and smoke it. There, I feel better!!!

Pastor Dad