Keep the Lights On

When I became the holder of a mortgage and the father of three kids, I began to understand the concern about high electric bills. I found myself coming home from work and being able to spot my house a mile away – it was the one with every light on.

One day, Lisa found me going from room to room, muttering under my breath. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing,” I said. “I’m just trying to find a lightbulb that’s not turned on. I don’t want it to feel left out.”

One winter evening some time later, I drove up to the house – and saw not a single light on. At first, I thought there must be a power outage, but our neighbors’ homes were lit up.

I walked into an empty house. The silence overwhelmed me. It looked like an alien place, so I did something I thought I’d never do. I turned on most of the lights to welcome home Lisa and the kids.

That incident became one of those “lightning” moments when God impressed a truth on my heart. I realized that every blessing comes with a burden.

If God were to take my wife and children home, I would have a much smaller electric bill – and a hole in my heart the size of Texas. I soon realized that in just about every complaint lies the foundation of thanksgiving. The fact that a rainy day upsets you is due in part to the fact that you can go outside and enjoy the weather. The fact that you’re busy assumes you have a job or children. The fact that there’s a load of laundry means someone is alive to get it dirty.

It comes down to how we choose to look at it. God could remove the burden, but if he did, he would also take away the blessing.

Whenever you are tempted to complain because your kids are being kids, ask God to remind you of the blessing behind the burden. And give thanks that your dirty house, big electric bill, and messy car mean you are blessed with relationships of love.

Devotions for Sacred Parenting, 61-63

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