They Deserve So Much More
This is my family.
When I look at this picture I feel all sorts of things.
I feel love, joy, peace, excited, infatuated, blessed, hopeful, and thankful.
I also feel stress, worry, pressure, dependence, hopeless, and like a loser.
They deserve someone leading them that knows what the crap they are doing.
A dad that looks like Brad Pitt, has the heart of Mother Teresa, the wisdom of Billy Graham and the strength of Craig Groshel. 
The last one would have been a joke until I saw his guns at Catalyst West.
They deserve so much more than me.
Then I whimper to the mirror and look square in my eyes.
HE has called me to not only lead my family but to propel them into a lifestyle of Christianity that this world has not seen since the days of Christ.
One that looks far different then the one we live out today.
A radical one.
An unsafe one.
One that makes most Christians feel uncomfortable.
One that makes me feel uncomfortable.
But without that small voice screaming that into my head I might actually believe the nuclear family with a house, dog, white picket fence was the end. And that I suck for not providing that.
I live in a rental house with a whole floor empty of furniture.
But it’s not about that.
If that is what you’ve got then great. But that should only be the wall hiding the army that you are building.
The army of children that will actually help His Kingdom come.
Remember that our lives are but a vapor.
The blessings he has blessed us with will be gone tomorrow.
We have a short time to equip the Saints.
So turn off Sports Center tonight and go look in the mirror.
Remind yourself that our time here is short.
RAIN IT DOWN
they deserve everything that we can't ever give em.
Yes, Carlos! That's the kind of parent I want to be. White picket fences are so overrated.
yup
amen.
"Normal" is overrated. Our kids will remember our passion for Christ and others far more than the trinkets and comforts they had. Bring it and change the world…
preach
It's only by His Grace…
Awesome! Thank you for being so transparent.
This post, not kidding, has affirmed my heart in what I have been debating was God or me. I love when God uses people to make His message clear. Thanks for sharing it.
You are such and amazing father and husband. You are now a friend to me. You have only met me once but you showed no prejudice at all and you gave me a hug. I feel like you are my brother. Blood is not always thicker than water especially when leading others to the kingdom. You are providing everything your family needs and could hope for. If I walked away as a child with only my dad showing me to Christ….I would be the wealthiest and luckiest girl alive. Keep makin' it do what it do! You rock!
It's tough bu necessary right>?
You sure are hard on yourself . . . but at least your honest, and want the best for your family!
I know. Because some people are not hard enough on me. LOL
good word Carlos! I have three of my own and go through the same emotions. It's amazing that God has let us care for and raise these little ones! I am with you in hoping and praying that I do it right!
preach it!
Los, As I enter fatherhood (~1-2 months), this is just what I needed. Thanks for getting me choked up at my desk…now I'll have to compose myself before my next meeting!
I so appreciate your transparency and honesty (it challenges me…someone who is pretty reserved normally)! If you are striving to "propel them into a lifestyle of Christianity that this world has not seen since the days of Christ", you are well on the way (with Christ's strength – which is evident in your life!).
Blessings on you and your fam!
I'll take the blessing.
A dad that looks like Brad Pitt? Please!
"But that should only be the wall hiding the army that you are building."
preach. it.
my oldest is 15 and im having more frequent mini panic attacks just thinkin about how much shorter my window of opportunity is with her. but…not so short that i, we as a whole, christian family cant impact them with authentic, hard core living.
And us with 7 year olds are watching and learning from you. Cause we will be there in a blink of an eye.
dude. stop blinking. i highly discourage it. its the best advice i can give as a parent.
I'm in. Sign me up whatever you are on….
You blow my stinkin' mind sometimes! I've only "known" you for a few months, but I don't know why you condemn some aspects of where you are as a husband, father, and believer! You may think outside the box, but doggone it, Christians need to get off their secular asses & listen up! I know you sometimes think you should preach more like your dad. You aren't your dad. I know you know that. The only measuring stick you need is the one God have given you. If you make your expectations too high, you set yourself up for disappointment & resentments. Do not do that! You have too much to say. So much on your heart. And in your head. It's the organization that scares you. I know you are in a hurry, but slow down long enough to listen. Not just to God, but those around you both now & those who are going out on this limb with you. I know there are only so many hours in the day, but it will come together before your very eyes. Our God is patient, so should you.
Your babies will be home soon. And so will that cute woman, Heather! Family night is coming!
I may be a little older than some who follow you, but you make me excited to see such passion & faith with this new adventure you're taking us all on.
Being in recovery has stirred a fire in me that I haven't had in 25 years. The internet has brought you to people who need & want to be more proactive in their journey. That internet thing is going to be awesome. Don't sweat the small stuff, Los!
Thanks for the slap. But I can't help it.
I want to second 5Tots: " "Normal" is overrated. Our kids will remember our passion for Christ and others far more than the trinkets and comforts they had. Bring it and change the world…"
We (my husband & I) have moved 7 times in the almost 9 years we've been married. I used to think I wanted to buy a house and settle into the american dream. Until we went all in and embraced God's call to ministry. Now, there's nothing better than knowing we can pick up and go wherever and whenever God calls. Sure, sometimes it's scary, painful, frustrating, depressing, isolating and just plain sucks.
But following the Author of my story brings the greatest rush I've ever had. Keep raising those thrill-seekers.
Thanks Los, I sure hope my kids see the difference between being 'in' ministry and living a life ministry. What good is it to reach the lost but lose the ones God specifically gave you?
You are a blessing. Always remember that. This was a good wake up call for many…including me. Keep keepin' it real and in our face Los.
Wow Los, thank you. Thank you so very much. You and Sandals, et. al. remind me that sometimes comfort isn't really comfort, but a tool used to convince us we are doing something right when in reality we aren't doing anything which is absolutely wrong….
Might be time to buy that house by now? Prices are low interest is good… ;*)
BTW…. Just because you are aware and asking these questions makes you God's blessing to them…
Love it! Awesome post!
His vision is so much bigger than the American dream. Thank you for challenging us to not settle for less than what God promises us and calls us to.
Inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
So much easier to live that out when there aren't kids in the equation to worry about. We want for our families. Safety, security, peace, joy, whatever. These aren't bad things, they just shouldn't be the main thing we're longing for.
We just can't close our eyes to His dream. We gotta look into the light till we forget what the dark looks like.
parent or not… this is a great reminder for all us seeking the world's idea of perfection…
congrats.
You're strummin' my pain with ya fingaz. They deserve everything, don't they? I think that's God's heart in us towards our families… Pure, absolute love.
Freaking brilliant. Great post. Forwarding this post like it's hot.
Loved it.
Good call, Los. That can be a hard thing for dads/men in general, because they feel compelled to provide all those things for their family. But this is of far greater purpose and importance.
We want to help you in this journey to be real with ourselves, others and God! What can we do to help?
Los,
AWESOME!!!
You will never know just how much I needed Exactly that thought today.
The Peace of Christ to you.
Robert
Thanks for the little added pressure! Good thoughts…I think most parents could step it up…myself included. Make every moment very intentional
true word man! life is short. time to act, equip, love, and encourage one another. what better time than now.
Los, this is the real deal. I feel like I've got to go find a mirror. Now. Keep on swinging the bat, this is the stuff! Thanks.
sometimes I worry if raising our kids surrounded by college students in a campus ministry will screw them up…..I'm hopeful it won't screw them up as much raising them in the suburbs with a perfectly manicured yard and 2 new cars in the driveway would have….
dang, that one hit me in the gut . . . thanks Los and Holy Spirit for the kick in the $%&*@#$ patooty . . .
wheels up in five…get ready
I could just say a million things here… but I’ll just say one.
Take my hand and walk this with me brother.
I LOVE the comment about being unsafe in your faith. Exactly the path God is sending me on, in this season of my life.
May we all be inspired to have the passion for our families that you have…
Have you been reading my mind? After 13 years of ministry, 12 years of marriage, and 7 years as a Father I have been feeling like a complete failure. Nothing has happened like I had hoped. I can't afford to buy my kid a bike. We live in a 2 bedroom apartment. They both deserve, sooooo much better than me.
Thanks for being transparent.
And THEY DESERVE YOU!!!!!
Chins up.
Dang – you are a ragamuffin. Way to keep our eyes focused on the real prize – the call to follow and serve Jesus. I feel the pressure too, but we know what happens to the wood, hay, and stubble. From the picture, it looks like you're building with gold, silver, and precious stones. Rock on – and thanks for the honesty.
Спасибо за пост. Позновательно.
oh, i like this. you are honest here. it is so good.
Wow. Thank you for this. It's awesome to see that others struggle from this kind of stuff to. Thanks for being so authentic. Thanks for the inspiring words too. Phew…
I needed to read this today! I was actually out surfing blogs in search of comfort, but what I got was conviction and I needed that more.
With this post, I now know how you love your family and how you love CHRIST above everything else. Praise the Lord for showing you how weak you are for his strength to shine in you! They may deserve better but it’s you who have been placed there and I’m sure you’re the RIGHT one for them!
You may not be the BEST or BETTER person for them but I'm sure about this you're the one RIGHT for them to do what GOD wants to fulfill in you and in your family. With this post, it's so visible how you love your family but above all how your Love GOD as well!
God Bless your whole family!
Just so you know – Brian Houston was as equally intimidated when he saw Craig Groeschel in a t-shirt.
I read this the day you published it… and I've thought about it many times since then because this… the kind of family you have and the adventure you're providing them, is the kind of family I dream of having one day. Thank you for sharing your heart so candidly and so often. It blesses me tremendously (and the same goes for your wife). I hope you don't mind but I just posted your blog to my blog so that my friends can also be encouraged by who and what you are.