My Greatest Investment

My wife Trisha was out of town last week on a much deserved girls trip. She left me in charge of our three boys…which was brave of her. I honestly have to say that I had a blast with them! Before Trisha and I separated four years ago, I took a lot of things for granted. One of the many things that I took for granted was the privilege and honor it is to be a father. If I am honest, looking back on the first nine years of fatherhood for me, I rarely gave 100% to my family and to fatherhood. I gave 100% to message prep, to the small group I was leading, to the vision that needed to be cast, to the board meeting that was so important, to the couple I was counseling, to the capital campaign I was in charge of…and my kids most of the time, got my left overs.

For the 2 1/2 months that Trisha and I were separated, I was only able to visit with my boys. They would be dropped off at a certain time, and I would drop them off at the house at a certain time. That experience changed me. It woke me up to realize that the calling I have as a father is so much more vital to my relationship with God than the calling I have in ministry.

The opportunity I had this week to spend time with my boys reminded me that they are my greatest investment. More than any sermon I’ll preach, more than any small group I’ll lead, more than any couple I’ll counsel…no one else can be the father to my kids that God has called me to be. I love the young men they are becoming and I am praying every day that God will continue to give me wisdom and guidance and integrity to lead them and demonstrate for them what it means to be a man after God’s own heart.

I know that I am not perfect, and I won’t always get it right. But I’m committed…and it is paying off. This past week, my boys and I talked about everything from fantasy football, to their fantasy girlfriends. We talked about bullies at school and we talked about God’s strength to help us in our weakest moments. We talked about PG-13 movies, and protecting our hearts from lust and sexual immorality. Without the investment I have made into their lives, I am confident that many of these conversations would have never happened.

I want to encourage you if you are a father to take an inventory of your relationship with your kid(s). Is it what you would like it to be? Even, if like me, you have messed it up for years, God is the author of fatherhood. He is a God of redemption and grace, and He can empower you to love your kids and invest in your kids with the love and grace that He has for you. Don’t give up, the investment is worth it!

Here are some pictures from our “Boys Week”…as you can see, food was a big part of our week :)

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20 Comments to “My Greatest Investment”

  1. pete wilson 28 September 2009 at 4:25 pm #

    The eggs and bacon put you in a whole new category bro. I didn't even think about going there.

    Reply
    • Mary Beth 28 September 2009 at 9:32 am #

      Check out that pizza! You need to ask Justin his secret for keeping it in one piece. lol

      Reply
    • Justin and Trisha 28 September 2009 at 10:51 pm #

      Stage of life my brotha…in a few years, life with your three boys will be so enjoyable you won't believe the difference a few years can make!

      Reply
  2. Mary Beth 28 September 2009 at 9:30 am #

    Justin – love your honesty and sharing your wins in not giving up on investing in your family. Keep sharing how God works in your life as an encouragement for the rest of us!

    Reply
    • Justin and Trisha 28 September 2009 at 10:52 pm #

      Thanks so much Mary Beth…sometimes even when we screw things up, God turns them around in ways that you could never imagine!

      Reply
  3. JasonWert 28 September 2009 at 4:30 pm #

    Manly food for a manly week. You're a good dad. ;)

    Reply
  4. chad rowland 28 September 2009 at 4:31 pm #

    at least you didn't screw up the pizza baking like pastor pete. proud of the way you love your boys. i'm with ya man

    Reply
  5. Tweets that mention My Greatest Investment | Refine Us -- Topsy.com

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Justin Davis. Justin Davis said: My greatest investment… http://bit.ly/35mC8d [...]

    Reply
  6. lynda watkins 28 September 2009 at 9:34 pm #

    everything happens for a reason and it is not hard to see what has happened in your life you have a lot greater appreciation for your kids and wife

    Reply
  7. Jessica 28 September 2009 at 10:19 pm #

    ha ha at least your pizza is all together ;) LOVE the post!

    Reply
    • Justin and Trisha 28 September 2009 at 10:53 pm #

      Thanks Jess! I might not be able to beat Pete in a hair contest…but I've got him on frozen pizza :)

      Reply
  8. Steven Kinkead 28 September 2009 at 10:25 pm #

    "He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect , (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 1 Timothy 3:4-5.
    This seems appropriate for this blog.

    Reply
  9. Anita Ryan 29 September 2009 at 2:20 am #

    Glad you survived the weekend and it was such a special time. Nothing can replace a mother or father's love and time. It is so important to be a part of there lives no matter what your circumstances. Glad Trisha got a chance to chill with the girls! We need that. That is awesome that you guys work together to support each other in that way. I loved getting all the tweets about the week! I must have missed Pete's falling apart pizza though. : )

    Reply
  10. Blake Bergstrom 28 September 2009 at 9:45 pm #

    I love your boys…they are incredible! If your children are any indication of what your heart is like…then, man…you’re a Godly man! Thanks for leading us to be better dads bro!!

    Blake

    Reply
    • Justin and Trisha 29 September 2009 at 7:19 am #

      Thanks bro! I love the dad that you are too! Thanks for your kind words!

      Reply

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